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Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV in the United States is $131,460 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,794
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,600 to $140,010
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,533
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 IV Salaries

A Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV'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 IV'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 II (2-4 years): $93,896
  • Software QA Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,831
  • Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,460
  • Software QA Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,788
  • Software QA Engineer VI (10-12 years): $176,668
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software QA Engineer II2-4 years$93,896
Software QA Engineer III4-7 years$113,831
Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV7+ years$131,460
Software QA Engineer V7-10 years$153,788
Software QA Engineer VI10-12 years$176,668
View as Graph

How Do Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV 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 IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $145,560.
  • California: $145,010.
  • Massachusetts: $143,070.

Top Paying Cities for Software Testing and Quality Engineer IVs

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: $165,820
  • San Francisco: $164,000
  • Oakland: $160,540

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.01% 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 3.19% 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.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.01%
Software Testing 3.19%
Scrum 2.29%
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 IV's salary.

  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Programming: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services $145,921
11%
Programming $139,348
6%
Integrity $136,718
4%
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Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $146,912. While startup companies pay approximate $124,273.

Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $124,273
Growth Stage 51~500 $131,431
Established 501~5000 $141,862
Enterprise 5000+ $146,912

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

For Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV 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 Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Testing and Quality Engineer positions in Media or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

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

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$157,752$76.020%
Energy & Utilities$151,179$73.015%
Biotechnology$147,235$71.012%
Aerospace & Defense$144,606$70.010%
Insurance$143,291$69.09%

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

Understanding how a Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV'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
$122,600
Average $131,460/year
$140,010
$10,217
Average $10,955/month
$11,668
$2,358
Average $2,528/week
$2,693
$59
Average $63/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $140,010 $11,668 $2,693 $67
Average $131,460 $10,955 $2,528 $63
25th Percentile $122,600 $10,217 $2,358 $59

Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV

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Advancement

For a Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software QA Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,800 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV

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

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FAQ about Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much do junior QA testers make in the US?

Junior QA testers in the US typically earn significantly less than Software Testing and Quality Engineers. While junior QA testers average around $54,471 annually, Software Testing and Quality Engineers have a salary range from $120,370 to $141,140, with a mid-salary of $130,430, reflecting their advanced skills and responsibilities in the field.

3. What is the average salary for QA tester in USA?

The average salary for Software Testing and Quality Engineers in the USA ranges from $120,370 to $141,140, with a mid-salary of $130,430. This reflects a more competitive compensation compared to previous estimates, highlighting the growing demand for skilled QA professionals in the industry.

4. How much do software quality engineers make in the US?

In the US, Software Quality Engineers earn between $120,370 and $141,140 annually, with a mid-salary of $130,430. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on industry data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this field.

5. Do QA engineers make good money?

QA Engineers can earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $120,370, a mid-range salary of $130,430, and a maximum of $141,140. This reflects a strong earning potential in the field, surpassing the average total compensation of $119,771 reported by other sources. Overall, QA Engineers can indeed make good money in the industry.

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

As of January 26, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Software Testing and Quality Engineer in the United States is approximately $62.00, based on a salary range of $120,370 to $141,140 annually. This translates to an hourly rate between $57.87 (minimum) and $67.73 (maximum), reflecting the competitive nature of the field.

7. Which software Engineer has highest salary in USA?

The highest-paid software engineering role in the USA is the Software Testing and Quality Engineer, with a salary range from $120,370 to $141,140, and a mid-salary of $130,430. This surpasses many other roles, including Full Stack Developer and DevOps Engineer, which have average salaries of $114,395 and $119,350, respectively.

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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