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Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I in the United States is $73,137 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,035
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,979 to $78,318
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,283
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,979 10% $63,283 90% $83,035 75% $78,318 $73,137 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $78,318 $6,527 $1,506 $38
Average $73,137 $6,095 $1,406 $35
25th Percentile $67,979 $5,665 $1,307 $33
Check out Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
Quality Assurance Engineer

PlanIT Group LLC - ORLANDO, FL

Software Quality Engineer

Abel Personnel, Inc. - RICHMND, VA

Quality Assurance Engineer

Parsons - ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD

Quality Assurance Engineer

Leidos - SAN DIEGO, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer I'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 Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $72,752
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,292
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $74,452
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $74,684
  • Expert (over 8 years): $74,838
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer I$72,752
Intermediate Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer I$73,292
Senior Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer I$74,452
Specialist Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer I$74,684
Expert Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer I$74,838
$72,752 0 yr
$73,292 < 2 yrs
$74,452 2-4 yrs
$74,684 5-8 yrs
$74,838 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Engineer Is

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: $92,248
  • San Francisco: $91,341
  • Oakland: $89,315

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.71% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Test Automation (Mentioned in 3.05% Job Postings): Leveraging automation tools to maintain test data, execute tests, and analyze test results to improve software quality.
  • Automated Testing (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Test automation is the use of software to control the execution of tests and the comparison of predicted to actual outcomes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.71%
Test Automation 3.05%
Automated Testing 1.76%
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 Quality Assurance Engineer I's salary.
  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Java
 $76,062
4%
Innovation
 $75,331
3%
Software Development
 $75,331
3%
Computer Science
 $75,331
3%
Programming
 $75,331
3%
Test Automation
 $74,600
2%
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How Education impacts a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Quality Assurance Engineer Is enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Quality Assurance Engineer I with a No Diploma is between $62,150 and $66,214).

Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.0%
High School 5.2%
Associates 11.2%
Bachelors 56.7%
Masters 23.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$67,979
Average $73,137/year
$78,318
$5,665
Average $6,095/month
$6,527
$1,307
Average $1,406/week
$1,506
$33
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,318 $6,527 $1,506 $38
Average $73,137 $6,095 $1,406 $35
25th Percentile $67,979 $5,665 $1,307 $33

Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Engineer I
Software Quality Assurance Engineer II
Software Quality Assurance Director

For a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Engineer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $93,889 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Engineer I

Salary Trends for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I

Salaries for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $70,475 in 2023 to around $69,558 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Quality Assurance Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$70,475
2024
$70,146
2025
$69,558
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $70,475
2024 $70,146
2025 $69,558
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I

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

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

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FAQ about Software Quality Assurance Engineer I

1. Where can a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I earn the most?

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $92,248.

2. What is the highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I?

The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $83,035.

3. What is the lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $63,283.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Quality Assurance Engineer I?

Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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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