What are the main factors that influence a Software Quality Assurance Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Assurance Director?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality Assurance Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Software Quality Assurance Director's salary?

A Software Quality Assurance Director's salary grows with experience: a Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI (10-12 years)earns $195,567, a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor (12+ years)earns $133,532, a Software Quality Assurance Manager (12+ years)earns $152,396, a Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager (12+ years)earns $184,169, a Software Quality Assurance Director (12+ years)earns $211,705,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Quality Assurance Director?

Software Quality Assurance Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Quality Assurance Director roles are District of Columbia $211,705, California $210,902, Massachusetts $208,092. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Quality Assurance Director roles make?

Salaries for Software Quality Assurance Director level roles vary by specialization: IT Quality Assurance Director: $201,097; Director of Quality Assurance: $198,200; Quality Assurance Director: $198,199; Software Testing and Quality Director: $191,290; Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager: $166,338.

Software Quality Assurance Director Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Software Quality Assurance Director make in District of Columbia?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Director in District of Columbia is $211,705 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $102.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $239,223
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $194,813 to $226,109
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $179,433

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Software Quality Assurance Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$226,109	$18,842	$4,348	$109
Average	$211,705	$17,642	$4,071	$102
25th Percentile	$194,813	$16,234	$3,746	$94

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Director Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Director'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 Quality Assurance Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Director'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 Quality Assurance Engineer VI (10-12 years): $195,567
Software Quality Assurance Supervisor (12+ years): $133,532
Software Quality Assurance Manager (12+ years): $152,396
Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager (12+ years): $184,169
Software Quality Assurance Director (12+ years): $211,705

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI	10-12 years	$195,567
Software Quality Assurance Supervisor	12+ years	$133,532
Software Quality Assurance Manager	12+ years	$152,396
Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager	12+ years	$184,169
Software Quality Assurance Director	12+ years	$211,705

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How Do Software Quality Assurance Director 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 Quality Assurance Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $211,705.
California: $210,902.
Massachusetts: $208,092.

District of Columbia $211,705 California $210,902 Massachusetts $208,092 Washington $207,327 New Jersey $207,250 Alaska $206,983 Connecticut $204,344 New York $203,273

Hawaii $199,851 Rhode Island $198,244 Maryland $197,155 Minnesota $195,663 Colorado $195,090 Illinois $194,898 Oregon $194,172 Delaware $193,636

New Hampshire $193,300 Virginia $192,546 Pennsylvania $190,348 Nevada $189,239 North Dakota $188,875 Michigan $188,302 Wisconsin $188,091 Vermont $187,671

Texas $186,504 Maine $186,428 Arizona $186,313 Ohio $186,179 Georgia $184,420 Indiana $183,541 Wyoming $183,368 Utah $183,101

Iowa $182,986 Kansas $182,068 Louisiana $181,801 North Carolina $181,705 Missouri $181,667 Florida $180,921 Montana $180,519 Nebraska $180,137

Kentucky $179,927 South Carolina $179,162 Tennessee $178,684 Idaho $178,493 New Mexico $177,097 Oklahoma $176,791 Alabama $175,663 South Dakota $173,770

Arkansas $172,737 West Virginia $172,183 Mississippi $170,519

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Directors

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:

Parcel Return Service: $210,556
Washington: $210,558
Naval Anacost Annex: $210,549

Parcel Return Service, DC $210,556 Washington, DC $210,558 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $210,549 Washington Navy Yard, DC $210,556

Software Quality Assurance Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Quality Assurance Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $236,791. While startup companies pay approximate $200,254.

Software Quality Assurance Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$200,254
Growth Stage	51~500	$211,800
Established	501~5000	$228,667
Enterprise	5000+	$236,791

Software Quality Assurance Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Quality Assurance Director 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 Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Director

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$254,047	$122.0	20%
Energy & Utilities	$243,461	$117.0	15%
Internet	$243,461	$117.0	15%
Financial Services	$232,876	$112.0	10%
Healthcare	$232,876	$112.0	10%

Software Quality Assurance Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Director'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 July 01, 2026

$194,813

Average $211,705/year

$226,109

$16,234

Average $17,642/month

$18,842

$3,746

Average $4,071/week

$4,348

$94

Average $102/hour

$109

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$226,109	$18,842	$4,348	$109
Average	$211,705	$17,642	$4,071	$102
25th Percentile	$194,813	$16,234	$3,746	$94

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