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Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Salary in Maryland

How much does a Software Testing and Quality Engineer I make in Maryland?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer I in Maryland is $75,450 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,633
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $70,020 to $80,780
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,076
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View as table View as graph 25% $70,020 10% $65,076 90% $85,633 75% $80,780 $75,450 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,780 $6,732 $1,553 $39
Average $75,450 $6,288 $1,451 $36
25th Percentile $70,020 $5,835 $1,347 $34
Check out Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Job Openings in Maryland
Software Testing Engineer

CYBERMAXX, LLC - Linthicum Heights, MD

Software Quality Assurance Engineer

The ACI Group - Towson, MD

SOFTWARE ENGINEER II

Platform Aerospace - Hollywood, MD

Senior Software Engineer

Webstaurant Store, Inc. - Aberdeen, MD

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Key Factors That Influence Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Salaries

A Software Testing and Quality Engineer 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 Testing and Quality Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Testing and Quality Engineer 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 Testing and Quality Engineer I (0-2 years): $75,441
  • Software QA Engineer II (2-4 years): $96,815
  • Software QA Engineer III (4-7 years): $117,372
  • Software QA Engineer IV (7+ years): $135,546
  • Software QA Engineer V (7-10 years): $158,548
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Testing and Quality Engineer I0-2 years$75,441
Software QA Engineer II2-4 years$96,815
Software QA Engineer III4-7 years$117,372
Software QA Engineer IV7+ years$135,546
Software QA Engineer V7-10 years$158,548
$75,441 Software ...
$96,815 Software ...
$117,372 Software ...
$135,546 Software ...
$158,548 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Testing and Quality Engineer 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:

  • Owings: $77,680
  • Riverdale: $80,460
  • College Park: $80,370

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

Software Testing and Quality Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $84,462. While startup companies pay approximate $71,453.

Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$71,453
Growth Stage51~500$75,570
Established501~5000$81,563
Enterprise5000+$84,462

Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Testing and Quality Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Software Testing and Quality Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Testing and Quality Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$113,175$54.050%
Pharmaceuticals$94,312$45.025%
Financial Services$90,540$44.020%
Energy & Utilities$86,768$42.015%
Biotechnology$82,995$40.010%

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

Understanding how a Software Testing and Quality Engineer 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$70,020
Average $75,450/year
$80,780
$5,835
Average $6,288/month
$6,732
$1,347
Average $1,451/week
$1,553
$34
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,780 $6,732 $1,553 $39
Average $75,450 $6,288 $1,451 $36
25th Percentile $70,020 $5,835 $1,347 $34

Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Testing and Quality Engineer I
Software QA Engineer II
Software QA Director

For a Software Testing and Quality Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $96,900 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Testing and Quality Engineer I

Find Your Next Software Testing and Quality Engineer I Job

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

United States

  • EHS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

    Indian Head, MD

    Software Quality Assurance

    EHS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION | Indian Head, MD

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Role Overview. We are seeking a detail-oriented Software Tester to join our development team. This role focu... more

    9 Days Ago

  • ManTech International

    FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD

    Software Engineer

    ManTech International | FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD

    ManTech International seeks a Software Engineer to design, build, and secure mission-critical applications for U.S. defense, intelligence, and federal agen... more

    8 Days Ago

  • SimVentions, Inc

    LA PLATA, MD

    Software Engineer

    SimVentions, Inc | LA PLATA, MD

    SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more

    11 Days Ago

  • SimVentions, Inc

    DENTSVILLE, MD

    Software Engineer

    SimVentions, Inc | DENTSVILLE, MD

    SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more

    11 Days Ago

  • SimVentions, Inc

    CHAPTICO, MD

    Software Engineer

    SimVentions, Inc | CHAPTICO, MD

    SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company, is seeking a Software Engineer to develop secure, high-quality software for U.S. Departm... more

    11 Days Ago

  • SimVentions, Inc

    PORT TOBACCO, MD

    Software Engineer

    SimVentions, Inc | PORT TOBACCO, MD

    SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more

    11 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Maryland

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3.1% Higher
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