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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Tester II in Illinois is $55,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a Software Tester II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software Tester II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $63,450 | $5,288 | $1,220 | $31 |
| Average | $55,290 | $4,608 | $1,063 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,500 | $4,042 | $933 | $23 |
Verisk - Burr Ridge, IL
Grayhill Inc. - La Grange, IL
Grayhill Inc. - La Grange, IL
Flywire - Chicago, IL
A Software Tester 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Software Tester 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Quality Testing Specialist I | 0-1 years | $48,743 |
| Software Tester II | 1-3 years | $55,285 |
| Software Quality Testing Specialist III | 3-5 years | $65,948 |
| Software Quality Testing Specialist IV | 5-7 years | $74,109 |
| Software Testing and Quality Supervisor | 7+ years | $122,928 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Tester IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Software Tester II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $61,894. While startup companies pay approximate $52,361.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $52,361 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $55,378 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $59,770 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $61,894 |
For Software Tester 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 Tester positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Tester II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $66,348 | $32.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $63,583 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $63,583 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Software & Networking | $63,583 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $60,819 | $29.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Software Tester 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $63,450 | $5,288 | $1,220 | $31 |
| Average | $55,290 | $4,608 | $1,063 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,500 | $4,042 | $933 | $23 |
For a Software Tester 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 $66,000 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Tester II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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