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Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salary in California

How much does a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II in California is $103,565 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $119,563
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $94,226 to $111,939
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,723
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View as table View as graph 25% $94,226 10% $85,723 90% $119,563 75% $111,939 $103,565 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $111,939 $9,328 $2,153 $54
Average $103,565 $8,630 $1,992 $50
25th Percentile $94,226 $7,852 $1,812 $45
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Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer II'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 Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II'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): $80,698
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer II (2-4 years): $103,565
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer III (4-7 years): $125,558
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV (7+ years): $144,996
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer V (7-10 years): $169,580
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer I0-2 years$80,698
Software Quality Assurance Engineer II2-4 years$103,565
Software Quality Assurance Engineer III4-7 years$125,558
Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV7+ years$144,996
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V7-10 years$169,580
$80,698 Software ...
$103,565 Software ...
$125,558 Software ...
$144,996 Software ...
$169,580 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IIs

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:

  • Los Angeles: $103,743
  • West Hollywood: $103,668
  • Dodgertown: $103,743

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

Software Quality Assurance Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,837. While startup companies pay approximate $97,963.

Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$97,963
Growth Stage51~500$103,611
Established501~5000$111,862
Enterprise5000+$115,837

Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Quality Assurance Engineer II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Engineer II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$134,635$65.030%
Energy & Utilities$129,456$62.025%
Aerospace & Defense$124,278$60.020%
Business Services$119,100$57.015%
MFG Nondurable$115,993$56.012%

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

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$94,226
Average $103,565/year
$111,939
$7,852
Average $8,630/month
$9,328
$1,812
Average $1,992/week
$2,153
$45
Average $50/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,939 $9,328 $2,153 $54
Average $103,565 $8,630 $1,992 $50
25th Percentile $94,226 $7,852 $1,812 $45

Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Engineer II
Software Quality Assurance Engineer III
Software Quality Assurance Director

For a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Engineer III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $125,558 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Engineer II

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