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Software Quality Testing Specialist II Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Quality Testing Specialist II make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Testing Specialist II in the United States is $54,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,584
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,600 to $62,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,500
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View as table View as graph 25% $47,600 10% $41,500 90% $69,584 75% $62,300 $54,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Quality Testing Specialist II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $62,300 $5,192 $1,198 $30
Average $54,300 $4,525 $1,044 $26
25th Percentile $47,600 $3,967 $915 $23
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Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Testing Specialist II Salaries

A Software Quality Testing Specialist II'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 II'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): $47,813
  • Software Quality Testing Specialist II (1-3 years): $54,231
  • Software Quality Testing Specialist III (3-5 years): $64,695
  • Software Quality Testing Specialist IV (5-7 years): $72,705
  • Software Testing and Quality Supervisor (7+ years): $120,603
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Testing Specialist I0-1 years$47,813
Software Quality Testing Specialist II1-3 years$54,231
Software Quality Testing Specialist III3-5 years$64,695
Software Quality Testing Specialist IV5-7 years$72,705
Software Testing and Quality Supervisor7+ years$120,603
$47,813 Software ...
$54,231 Software ...
$64,695 Software ...
$72,705 Software ...
$120,603 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Testing Specialist IIs

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: $68,500
  • San Francisco: $67,700
  • Oakland: $66,300

What Skills Can Increase a Software Quality Testing Specialist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.51% 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 2.91% 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.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.51%
Software Testing 2.91%
Software Development 2.27%
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 Quality Testing Specialist II's salary.
  • IDEA: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Social Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Penetration Testing: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IDEA
$60,273
11%
Social Engineering
$59,187
9%
Penetration Testing
$58,644
8%
Cybersecurity
$58,644
8%
Python
$58,101
7%
Software Development
$58,101
7%
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Software Quality Testing Specialist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Quality Testing Specialist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $60,734. While startup companies pay approximate $51,363.

Software Quality Testing Specialist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$51,363
Growth Stage51~500$54,324
Established501~5000$58,650
Enterprise5000+$60,734

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

For Software Quality Testing Specialist II 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 Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Testing Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Testing Specialist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Testing Specialist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$65,160$31.020%
Biotechnology$62,445$30.015%
Financial Services$62,445$30.015%
Software & Networking$62,445$30.015%
Energy & Utilities$59,730$29.010%

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

Understanding how a Software Quality Testing Specialist II'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

Software Quality Testing Specialist II Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Software Quality Testing Specialist II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Testing Specialist III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $64,700 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Software Quality Testing Specialist II

Salaries for a Software Quality Testing Specialist II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $56,119 in 2023 to around $57,152 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Quality Testing Specialist II salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Quality Testing Specialist II Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,119
2024
$57,479
2025
$57,152
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,119
2024 $57,479
2025 $57,152
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Software Quality Testing Specialist II

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Quality Testing Specialist II

Here are companies hiring for Software Quality Testing Specialist II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Quality Testing Specialist II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Testing Specialist II?

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

2. What is a software QA specialist?

A Software Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist ensures that software products meet quality standards before release. They focus on reliability, user-friendliness, and compliance with functional and non-functional requirements. The salary for this role typically ranges from $48,700 to $60,500, with a mid-point of $54,400.

3. How much do software testers earn?

Software Quality Testing Specialists earn between $48,700 and $60,500, with a median salary of $54,400. Entry-level positions typically start at around $48,700, while those with three to five years of experience can expect to earn closer to the mid and upper ranges of this scale.

4. What is the hourly rate of QA in USA?

As of January 2025, the average hourly pay for a Software Quality Testing Specialist in the United States is approximately $26.80, based on a salary range of $48,700 to $60,500 annually. This translates to hourly wages between $23.40 (minimum) and $29.05 (maximum), reflecting the varying levels of experience and expertise in the field.

5. What degree do you need to be a QA specialist?

To become a quality assurance specialist, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as computer science, engineering, or business. Some employers may accept an associate degree or equivalent work experience. The salary for this role ranges from $48,700 to $60,500, with a mid-point of $54,400.

6. Is QA in demand in USA?

Yes, QA is in demand in the USA, with a projected growth of 25% for quality control and testing specialists by 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries for Software Quality Testing Specialists range from $48,700 to $60,500, with a median of $54,400. Local demand varies, but remote opportunities are consistently available.

7. Is QA testing a good career?

QA testing is a promising career choice. With a salary range from $48,700 to $60,500, it offers lucrative opportunities as demand for skilled QA professionals grows. The field is dynamic, requiring continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies and methodologies, ensuring that your skills remain relevant and in demand.

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.)

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