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Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer in the United States is $125,305 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

However, a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,173
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,567 to $132,564
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,701
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View as table View as graph 25% $115,567 10% $106,701 90% $139,173 75% $132,564 $125,305 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $132,564 $11,047 $2,549 $64
Average $125,305 $10,442 $2,410 $60
25th Percentile $115,567 $9,631 $2,222 $56
Check out Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Sr Quality Assurance Engineer

Corporate One FCU - Columbus, OH

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Instacart

Instacart - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries

A Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer'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 Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer'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:

  • Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer (2-4 years): $89,082
  • QA/Validation Engineer III (4-7 years): $100,757
  • Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer (7+ years): $125,315
  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,352
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $112,623
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer2-4 years$89,082
QA/Validation Engineer III4-7 years$100,757
Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer7+ years$125,315
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,352
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,623
$89,082 Intermedi...
$100,757 QA/Valida...
$125,315 Specialis...
$150,352 Expert/Co...
$112,623 QA/Valida...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineers

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: $158,050
  • San Francisco: $156,320
  • Oakland: $153,025

What Skills Can Increase a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.72% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
  • Virtualization (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): In computing, virtualization refers to the act of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including virtual computer hardware platforms, storage devices, and computer network resources. Virtualization began in the 1960s, as a method of logically dividing the system resources provided by mainframe computers between different applications. Since then, the meaning of the term has broadened.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.72%
Scrum 2.77%
Virtualization 2.13%
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 Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer's salary.
  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • iOS: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity
$146,607
17%
iOS
$134,076
7%
Consulting
$132,823
6%
Innovation
$131,570
5%
Integrity
$130,317
4%
Virtualization
$130,317
4%
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Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,272. While startup companies pay approximate $118,667.

Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$118,667
Growth Stage51~500$125,504
Established501~5000$135,457
Enterprise5000+$140,272

Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$175,427$84.040%
Aerospace & Defense$162,896$78.030%
Pharmaceuticals$162,896$78.030%
Financial Services$150,366$72.020%
Software & Networking$150,366$72.020%

How Education impacts a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist Quality Assurance Engineers 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 Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,568 and $128,653).

Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.3%
High School 3.3%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 40.1%
Doctorate 1.3%
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Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer'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 August 01, 2026

Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,400 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer

Salaries for a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $120,986 in 2023 to around $120,525 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$120,986
2024
$121,490
2025
$120,525
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $120,986
2024 $121,490
2025 $120,525
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer Job

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

United States
  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    3 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Brand & External Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare indust... more

    14 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    15 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    15 Days Ago

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FAQ about Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. What are top 3 skills for a quality assurance specialist?

The top three skills for a Quality Assurance Specialist are testing knowledge, attention to detail, and communication. Mastering these skills is crucial for success in the role. With a salary range of $117,454 to $139,707, possessing these skills can significantly enhance career prospects and earning potential in the field.

3. Is QA in demand in USA?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for quality control and testing specialists will increase by 25% by 2032, surpassing the average for other professions. Specialist Quality Assurance Engineers can expect salaries ranging from $117,454 to $139,707, with a median salary of $128,646. Local demand varies, but remote opportunities are consistently available.

4. How much does a quality assurance specialist make at Google?

A Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer at Google can expect a salary ranging from $117,454 to $139,707, with a mid-point salary of $128,646. This reflects competitive compensation in the industry, aligning with the experience level typically required for such positions.

5. What is the highest salary for a quality assurance engineer?

The salary for a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer ranges from $117,454 to $139,707 per year, with a mid-salary of $128,646. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of quality assurance expertise in the industry.

6. What is the top pay for a quality engineer?

The top pay for a Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer is $139,707 per year. The salary range typically falls between $117,454 and $139,707, with a mid-salary of $128,646. This reflects the competitive compensation for quality engineers in the industry.

7. How much do field quality assurance specialists make?

Field Quality Assurance Specialists can expect a salary range between $117,454 and $139,707 annually, with a mid-salary of approximately $128,646. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this role, highlighting the value placed on quality assurance expertise in the industry.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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