What are the main factors that influence a Software Quality Testing Specialist I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Testing Specialist I?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality Testing Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Software Quality Testing Specialist 's salary?

A Software Quality Testing Specialist 's salary grows with experience: a Software Quality Testing Specialist I (0-1 years)earns $52,939, a Software Quality Testing Specialist II (1-3 years)earns $60,045, a Software Quality Testing Specialist III (3-5 years)earns $71,630, a Software Quality Testing Specialist IV (5-7 years)earns $80,499, a Software Testing and Quality Supervisor (7+ years)earns $133,532,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Quality Testing Specialist I?

Software Quality Testing Specialist I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Quality Testing Specialist I roles are District of Columbia $53,000, California $52,800, Massachusetts $52,100. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Quality Testing Specialist roles make?

Salaries for Software Quality Testing Specialist level roles vary by specialization: Software Testing and Quality Director: $191,290; Software Testing and Quality Manager: $137,690; Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV: $131,460; Software Testing and Quality Supervisor: $120,700; Software Testing Specialist: $94,507.

Click or scroll to view upper level job

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Software Quality Testing Specialist I make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Testing Specialist I in District of Columbia is $53,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Software Quality Testing Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,609
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,600 to $59,600
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,773

Compensation Planning

Develop a Job Description

Pay Equity

2026 Compensation Trend

AI-Powered Talent

AI-Powered HR

Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits

View as table

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$59,600	$4,967	$1,146	$29
Average	$53,000	$4,417	$1,019	$25
25th Percentile	$46,600	$3,883	$896	$22

Get accurate pay by adjusting the below factors.

Change Search Criteria

Check out Software Quality Testing Specialist I Job Openings in District of Columbia

Quality Technician in Manufacturing

Commercial Plastics Mora, MN - MORA, MN

Registered Nurse Pre Testing

Doctors Hospital of Augusta - AUGUSTA, GA

Water Quality Foreman

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority - WILMINGTON, NC

Ambulatory Care Specialist

B. BRAUN MEDICAL INC - RALEIGH, NC

Search More Software Quality Testing Specialist I Jobs in District of Columbia

Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salaries

A Software Quality Testing Specialist I'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 Quality Testing Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Testing Specialist I'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 Quality Testing Specialist I (0-1 years): $52,939
Software Quality Testing Specialist II (1-3 years): $60,045
Software Quality Testing Specialist III (3-5 years): $71,630
Software Quality Testing Specialist IV (5-7 years): $80,499
Software Testing and Quality Supervisor (7+ years): $133,532

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software Quality Testing Specialist I	0-1 years	$52,939
Software Quality Testing Specialist II	1-3 years	$60,045
Software Quality Testing Specialist III	3-5 years	$71,630
Software Quality Testing Specialist IV	5-7 years	$80,499
Software Testing and Quality Supervisor	7+ years	$133,532

View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Quality Testing Specialist I 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 Quality Testing Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $53,000.
California: $52,800.
Massachusetts: $52,100.

District of Columbia $53,000 California $52,800 Massachusetts $52,100 Washington $51,900 New Jersey $51,900 Alaska $51,800 Connecticut $51,100 New York $50,900

Hawaii $50,000 Rhode Island $49,600 Maryland $49,300 Minnesota $49,000 Colorado $48,800 Illinois $48,800 Oregon $48,600 Delaware $48,500

New Hampshire $48,400 Virginia $48,200 Pennsylvania $47,600 Nevada $47,400 North Dakota $47,300 Michigan $47,100 Wisconsin $47,100 Vermont $47,000

Maine $46,700 Texas $46,700 Arizona $46,600 Ohio $46,600 Georgia $46,200 Indiana $45,900 Wyoming $45,900 Utah $45,800

Iowa $45,800 Kansas $45,600 Missouri $45,500 Louisiana $45,500 North Carolina $45,500 Florida $45,300 Montana $45,200 Nebraska $45,100

Kentucky $45,000 South Carolina $44,900 Tennessee $44,700 Idaho $44,700 New Mexico $44,300 Oklahoma $44,300 Alabama $44,000 South Dakota $43,500

Arkansas $43,200 West Virginia $43,100 Mississippi $42,700

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Testing Specialist Is

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:

Parcel Return Service: $52,700
Washington: $52,700
Naval Anacost Annex: $52,700

Parcel Return Service, DC $52,700 Washington, DC $52,700 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $52,700 Washington Navy Yard, DC $52,700

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Quality Testing Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $59,280. While startup companies pay approximate $50,133.

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$50,133
Growth Stage	51~500	$53,024
Established	501~5000	$57,246
Enterprise	5000+	$59,280

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Quality Testing Specialist I 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 Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Testing Specialist positions in Internet or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Testing Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Testing Specialist I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare	$63,600	$31.0	20%
Biotechnology	$60,950	$29.0	15%
Aerospace & Defense	$58,300	$28.0	10%
Business Services	$58,300	$28.0	10%
Insurance	$58,300	$28.0	10%

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Quality Testing Specialist I'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 July 01, 2026

$46,600

Average $53,000/year

$59,600

$3,883

Average $4,417/month

$4,967

$896

Average $1,019/week

$1,146

$22

Average $25/hour

$29

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$59,600	$4,967	$1,146	$29
Average	$53,000	$4,417	$1,019	$25
25th Percentile	$46,600	$3,883	$896	$22

Software Quality Testing Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Testing Specialist I

Software Quality Testing Specialist II

Software QA Manager

For a Software Quality Testing Specialist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Testing Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $60,100 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Testing Specialist I

Find Your Next Software Quality Testing Specialist I Job

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

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

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

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

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

Price My Industry Jobs

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

Cost of Living In District of Columbia

Cost of Living in District of Columbia is

10.7% Higher

than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator

Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting

See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine 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