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Software Testing and Quality Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III in the United States is $113,840 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,494
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,380 to $119,940
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,678
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Testing and Quality Engineer III Salaries

A Software Testing and Quality Engineer III'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, education 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 III'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 I (0-2 years): $73,170
  • Software QA Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,896
  • Software Testing and Quality Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,831
  • Software QA Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,460
  • Software QA Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,788
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software QA Engineer I0-2 years$73,170
Software QA Engineer II2-4 years$93,896
Software Testing and Quality Engineer III4-7 years$113,831
Software QA Engineer IV7+ years$131,460
Software QA Engineer V7-10 years$153,788
View as Graph

How Do Software Testing and Quality Engineer III 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 Testing and Quality Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $126,040.
  • California: $125,560.
  • Massachusetts: $123,890.

Top Paying Cities for Software Testing and Quality Engineer IIIs

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: $143,580
  • San Francisco: $142,010
  • Oakland: $139,020

What Skills Can Increase a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.96% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Test Scripts (Mentioned in 3.27% Job Postings): A test script in software testing is a set of instructions that will be performed on the system under test to test that the system functions as expected. There are various means for executing test scripts. Manual testing. These are more commonly called test cases. Automated testing. Short program written in a programming language used to test part of the functionality of a software system. Test scripts written as a short program can either be written using a special automated functional GUI test tool (such as HP QuickTest Professional, Borland SilkTest, IBM TPNS and Rational Robot) or in a well-known programming language (such as C++, C#, Tcl, Expect, Java, PHP, Perl, Powershell, Python, or Ruby). As documented in IEEE, ISO and IEC. Extensively parameterized short programs a.k.a. Data-driven testing Reusable steps created in a table a.k.a. keyword-driven or table-driven testing.
  • Manual Testing (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Manual Testing is a type of software testing in which test cases are executed manually by a tester without using any automated tools. It refers to a test process in which a QA manually tests the software application in order to identify bugs.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.96%
Test Scripts 3.27%
Manual Testing 2.25%
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 Testing and Quality Engineer III's salary.

  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Prioritization: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services $118,394
4%
Innovation $117,255
3%
Prioritization $117,255
3%
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Software Testing and Quality Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Testing and Quality Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,221. While startup companies pay approximate $107,616.

Software Testing and Quality Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $107,616
Growth Stage 51~500 $113,815
Established 501~5000 $122,848
Enterprise 5000+ $127,221

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

For Software Testing and Quality Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Software Testing and Quality Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Testing and Quality Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$125,224$60.010%
Business Services$125,224$60.010%
Construction$125,224$60.010%
Energy & Utilities$125,224$60.010%
Healthcare$125,224$60.010%

How Education impacts a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Testing and Quality Engineer IIIs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $106,099 and $111,189).

Software Testing and Quality Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Testing and Quality Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 7.7%
Associates 4.8%
Bachelors 55.8%
Masters 30.0%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III'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 September 01, 2026
$105,380
Average $113,840/year
$119,940
$8,782
Average $9,487/month
$9,995
$2,027
Average $2,189/week
$2,307
$51
Average $55/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $119,940 $9,995 $2,307 $58
Average $113,840 $9,487 $2,189 $55
25th Percentile $105,380 $8,782 $2,027 $51

Software Testing and Quality Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Testing and Quality Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

For a Software Testing and Quality Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,500 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Testing and Quality Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Software Testing and Quality Engineer III

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

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FAQ about Software Testing and Quality Engineer III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Testing and Quality Engineer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Testing and Quality Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. Does a QA tester require coding?

While coding skills can be beneficial for QA professionals, they are not mandatory. QA professionals focus on test planning, test case design, test execution, defect management, and ensuring software quality. Salaries for Software Testing and Quality Engineers range from $102,160 to $120,610, with a mid-salary of $111,100.

3. Do software testers make good money?

Software testing salaries can vary based on experience, skills, location, and organization. On average, software testers can expect to earn a minimum of $102,160, with mid-level professionals earning around $111,100, and experienced testers making up to $120,610 annually. This reflects a competitive salary range in the industry.

4. Is software Engineer III entry level?

Software Engineer III is not considered entry-level. This mid-level position typically requires three to six years of experience. Professionals at this level can work independently and assist junior engineers with tasks and troubleshooting. The salary range for Software Testing and Quality Engineers is between $102,160 and $120,610, with a mid-salary of $111,100.

5. How much does a software engineer III make at JP Morgan?

The salary for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer typically ranges from $102,160 to $120,610, with a mid-point of $111,100. This range reflects base salaries and may vary based on experience, location, and additional compensation such as bonuses or stock options. The figures provided offer a general overview of expected earnings in this role.

6. How much does a 3 year experience software developer earn in USA?

A Software Testing and Quality Engineer with 3 years of experience in the USA typically earns between $102,160 and $120,610 annually. The average salary for this role is around $111,100. This range reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals in software quality assurance and testing.

7. How much does a 3 year experienced software tester make?

A software tester with 3 years of experience typically earns an average annual salary ranging from $102,160 to $120,610. The midpoint salary for this role is approximately $111,100, reflecting the competitive nature of the industry and the demand for skilled quality engineers.

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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