Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Software QA Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Software QA Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer IV in the United States is $131,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

However, a Software QA Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,930
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,600 to $140,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,497
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software QA Engineer IV Salaries

A Software QA Engineer IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Software QA Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software QA Engineer IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Software QA Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,897
  • Software QA Engineer III (4-7 years): $116,700
  • Software QA Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,462
  • Software QA Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,809
  • Software QA Engineer VI (10-12 years): $176,687
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software QA Engineer II2-4 years$93,897
Software QA Engineer III4-7 years$116,700
Software QA Engineer IV7+ years$131,462
Software QA Engineer V7-10 years$153,809
Software QA Engineer VI10-12 years$176,687
View as Graph

How Do Software QA Engineer IV Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Software QA Engineer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $145,600.
  • California: $145,100.
  • Massachusetts: $143,100.

Top Paying Cities for Software QA Engineer IVs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $165,900
  • San Francisco: $164,000
  • Oakland: $160,600

What Skills Can Increase a Software QA Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Software Testing (Mentioned in 3.19% Job Postings): Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the software product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software implementation. Test techniques include the process of executing a program or application with the intent of finding software bugs (errors or other defects), and verifying that the software product is fit for use. Software testing involves the execution of a software component or system component to evaluate one or more properties of interest. In general, these properties indicate the extent to which the component or system under test: meets the requirements that guided its design and development, responds correctly to all kinds of inputs, performs its functions within an acceptable time, it is sufficiently usable, can be installed and run in its intended environments, and achieves the general result its stakeholders desire.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.01%
Software Testing 3.19%
Scrum 2.29%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Software QA Engineer IV's salary.

  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Programming: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services $145,965
11%
Programming $139,390
6%
Integrity $136,760
4%
Get Latest Data

Software QA Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software QA Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $146,806. While startup companies pay approximate $124,307.

Software QA Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $124,307
Growth Stage 51~500 $131,439
Established 501~5000 $141,753
Enterprise 5000+ $146,806

Software QA Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software QA Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software QA Engineer positions in Media or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software QA Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software QA Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$157,800$76.020%
Energy & Utilities$151,225$73.015%
Biotechnology$147,280$71.012%
Aerospace & Defense$144,650$70.010%
Insurance$143,335$69.09%

Software QA Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software QA Engineer IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$122,600
Average $131,500/year
$140,100
$10,217
Average $10,958/month
$11,675
$2,358
Average $2,529/week
$2,694
$59
Average $63/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,100 $11,675 $2,694 $67
Average $131,500 $10,958 $2,529 $63
25th Percentile $122,600 $10,217 $2,358 $59

Software QA Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Software QA Engineer IV

Next Role

Advancement

For a Software QA Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,900 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software QA Engineer IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Software QA Engineer IV

Here are companies hiring for Software QA Engineer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Software QA Engineer IV Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software QA Engineer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Software QA Engineer IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software QA Engineer IV?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Software QA Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Which company pays the highest salary to QA?

The salary data for Software QA Analysts indicates a range with a minimum salary of $120,400, a mid-level salary of $130,500, and a maximum salary of $141,200. Companies that offer salaries within this range are likely to be competitive in the market, but specific company comparisons would require additional data on individual company salaries.

3. What is the highest salary in QA?

The highest salary for a Software QA Analyst is $141,200 per year, while the lowest salary is $120,400 per year. The mid-range salary for this position is $130,500 annually.

4. Do QA testers make good money?

QA testers can earn competitive salaries, with a range for Software QA Analysts between $120,400 and $141,200. The midpoint salary is approximately $130,500, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field. This compensation is significantly higher than the average salary reported for QA testers in the US.

5. Is QA a good career in 2024?

Conclusion: Automation Jobs are the Future 🚀 In 2024 and 2025, automation testing roles will dominate the QA market. With salaries ranging from $120,400 to $141,200, it's a lucrative career. For freshers or manual testers, upskilling is critical. You need to add automation testing skills, learn Java or Python, and build a portfolio that showcases real projects.

6. Who is paid more BA or QA?

In comparing salaries, a Software QA Analyst earns between $120,400 and $141,200, with a mid-salary of $130,500. This is significantly higher than the average salary of a Business Analyst, which is around $74,431. Therefore, Software QA Analysts are generally paid more than Business Analysts.

7. Is QA in demand in USA?

Yes, QA is in demand in the USA. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 25% increase in demand for quality control and testing specialists by 2032, surpassing the average for other professions. Software QA Analysts can expect salaries ranging from $120,400 to $141,200, with a median salary of $130,500, reflecting strong job opportunities.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job