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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 March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I in the United States is $73,146 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): $83,044
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,883 to $78,327
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,091
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,883 10% $63,091 90% $83,044 75% $78,327 $73,146 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 $78,327 $6,527 $1,506 $38
Average $73,146 $6,096 $1,407 $35
25th Percentile $67,883 $5,657 $1,305 $33
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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 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:

  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer I (0-2 years): $73,146
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer II (2-4 years): $93,891
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer III (4-7 years): $113,835
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,448
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer V (7-10 years): $153,658
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer I0-2 years$73,146
Software Quality Assurance Engineer II2-4 years$93,891
Software Quality Assurance Engineer III4-7 years$113,835
Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV7+ years$131,448
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V7-10 years$153,658
$73,146 Software ...
$93,891 Software ...
$113,835 Software ...
$131,448 Software ...
$153,658 Software ...
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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: $92,259
  • San Francisco: $91,352
  • Oakland: $89,326

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
 $76,072
4%
Innovation
 $75,340
3%
Software Development
 $75,340
3%
Computer Science
 $75,340
3%
Programming
 $75,340
3%
Test Automation
 $74,609
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 March 01, 2026
$67,883
Average $73,146/year
$78,327
$5,657
Average $6,096/month
$6,527
$1,305
Average $1,407/week
$1,506
$33
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,327 $6,527 $1,506 $38
Average $73,146 $6,096 $1,407 $35
25th Percentile $67,883 $5,657 $1,305 $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 $93,891 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Engineer I

Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I

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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 $92,259.

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

The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $83,044.

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

The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer I is $63,091.

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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