As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I in the United States is $73,166 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:
Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $78,337 | $6,528 | $1,506 | $38 |
| Average | $73,166 | $6,097 | $1,407 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,908 | $5,659 | $1,306 | $33 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer I | 0-2 years | $73,166 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer II | 2-4 years | $93,895 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer III | 4-7 years | $113,832 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV | 7+ years | $131,458 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer V | 7-10 years | $153,766 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.71% |
| Test Automation | 3.05% |
| Automated Testing | 1.76% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Java | $76,093 | |
| Innovation | $75,361 | |
| Software Development | $75,361 |
Software Quality Assurance Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $81,905. While startup companies pay approximate $69,290.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $69,290 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $73,282 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $79,094 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $81,905 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Quality Assurance Engineer I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Software Quality Assurance Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $65,730 and $69,367.
| 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% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $78,337 | $6,528 | $1,506 | $38 |
| Average | $73,166 | $6,097 | $1,407 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,908 | $5,659 | $1,306 | $33 |
Next Role
Advancement
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 $93,895 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.
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, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $70,475 |
| 2024 | $70,146 |
| 2025 | $69,558 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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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 $92,284.
The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $83,045.
The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $63,121.
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.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
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