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

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

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

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer 's salary grows with experience: a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $80,987, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $103,956, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III (4-7 years)earns $126,038, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $145,539, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $170,130,

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

Software Quality Assurance Engineer III salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Quality Assurance Engineer III roles are District of Columbia $126,038, California $125,560, Massachusetts $123,887. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

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

Salaries for Software Quality Assurance Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Software Quality Assurance Director: $191,185; Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI: $176,547; Software Quality Assurance Engineer V: $153,658; Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV: $131,448; Engineer III, Software Quality: $125,751.

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Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salary in District of Columbia

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

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III in District of Columbia is $126,038 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,962
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,655 to $132,803
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,111

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Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$132,803	$11,067	$2,554	$64
Average	$126,038	$10,503	$2,424	$61
25th Percentile	$116,655	$9,721	$2,243	$56

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer III'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 III'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): $80,987
Software Quality Assurance Engineer II (2-4 years): $103,956
Software Quality Assurance Engineer III (4-7 years): $126,038
Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV (7+ years): $145,539
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V (7-10 years): $170,130

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer I	0-2 years	$80,987
Software Quality Assurance Engineer II	2-4 years	$103,956
Software Quality Assurance Engineer III	4-7 years	$126,038
Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV	7+ years	$145,539
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V	7-10 years	$170,130

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Quality Assurance Engineer III 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 Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $126,038.
California: $125,560.
Massachusetts: $123,887.

District of Columbia $126,038 California $125,560 Massachusetts $123,887 Washington $123,431 New Jersey $123,386 Alaska $123,226 Connecticut $121,655 New York $121,018

Hawaii $118,980 Rhode Island $118,024 Maryland $117,375 Minnesota $116,487 Colorado $116,146 Illinois $116,032 Oregon $115,599 Delaware $115,281

New Hampshire $115,080 Virginia $114,632 Pennsylvania $113,323 Nevada $112,662 North Dakota $112,446 Michigan $112,105 Wisconsin $111,979 Vermont $111,729

Texas $111,035 Maine $110,989 Arizona $110,921 Ohio $110,841 Georgia $109,794 Indiana $109,270 Wyoming $109,168 Utah $109,008

Iowa $108,940 Kansas $108,394 Louisiana $108,234 North Carolina $108,177 Missouri $108,155 Florida $107,711 Montana $107,472 Nebraska $107,244

Kentucky $107,119 South Carolina $106,663 Tennessee $106,379 Idaho $106,265 New Mexico $105,434 Oklahoma $105,252 Alabama $104,580 South Dakota $103,453

Arkansas $102,839 West Virginia $102,508 Mississippi $101,518

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IIIs

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: $126,038
Washington: $126,038
Naval Anacost Annex: $126,038

Parcel Return Service, DC $126,038 Washington, DC $126,038 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $126,038 Washington Navy Yard, DC $126,038

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

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III'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 March 01, 2026

$116,655

Average $126,038/year

$132,803

$9,721

Average $10,503/month

$11,067

$2,243

Average $2,424/week

$2,554

$56

Average $61/hour

$64

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$132,803	$11,067	$2,554	$64
Average	$126,038	$10,503	$2,424	$61
25th Percentile	$116,655	$9,721	$2,243	$56

Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Engineer III

Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV

Software Quality Assurance Director

For a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $145,539 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Engineer III

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