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Software Testing and Quality Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Testing and Quality Manager in the United States is $137,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,941
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,990 to $148,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,338
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 Manager Salaries

A Software Testing and Quality Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Testing and Quality Manager'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 VI (10-12 years): $176,668
  • Software Testing and Quality Supervisor (12+ years): $120,596
  • Software Testing and Quality Manager (12+ years): $137,638
  • Software Testing and Quality Senior Manager (12+ years): $166,333
  • Software QA Director (12+ years): $191,220
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software QA Engineer VI10-12 years$176,668
Software Testing and Quality Supervisor12+ years$120,596
Software Testing and Quality Manager12+ years$137,638
Software Testing and Quality Senior Manager12+ years$166,333
Software QA Director12+ years$191,220
View as Graph

How Do Software Testing and Quality Manager 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $152,390.
  • California: $151,890.
  • Massachusetts: $149,790.

Top Paying Cities for Software Testing and Quality Managers

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: $173,690
  • San Francisco: $171,790
  • Oakland: $168,090

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.87% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.87%
Packaging 2.07%
Microsoft Office 1.58%
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 Manager's salary.

  • Data Warehouse: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Warehouse $151,459
10%
Influencing $144,575
5%
Computer Science $143,198
4%
Get Latest Data

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

Software Testing and Quality Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $153,874. While startup companies pay approximate $130,162.

Software Testing and Quality Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $130,162
Growth Stage 51~500 $137,659
Established 501~5000 $148,585
Enterprise 5000+ $153,874

Software Testing and Quality Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Testing and Quality Manager 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 Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Testing and Quality Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Testing and Quality Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Testing and Quality Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$165,228$79.020%
Business Services$165,228$79.020%
Construction$165,228$79.020%
Energy & Utilities$165,228$79.020%
Healthcare$165,228$79.020%

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

Understanding how a Software Testing and Quality Manager'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
$125,990
Average $137,690/year
$148,290
$10,499
Average $11,474/month
$12,358
$2,423
Average $2,648/week
$2,852
$61
Average $66/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,290 $12,358 $2,852 $71
Average $137,690 $11,474 $2,648 $66
25th Percentile $125,990 $10,499 $2,423 $61

Software Testing and Quality Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Testing and Quality Manager

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Advancement

For a Software Testing and Quality Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Testing and Quality Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $166,340 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Testing and Quality Manager

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

Common company salaries for Software Testing and Quality Manager

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

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FAQ about Software Testing and Quality Manager

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Testing and Quality Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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