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Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salary in Illinois

How much does a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III make in Illinois?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III in Illinois is $116,030 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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): $127,924
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,418 to $122,256
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,577
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View as table View as graph 25% $107,418 10% $99,577 90% $127,924 75% $122,256 $116,030 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $122,256 $10,188 $2,351 $59
Average $116,030 $9,669 $2,231 $56
25th Percentile $107,418 $8,951 $2,066 $52
Check out Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Job Openings in Illinois
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Synchrony Financial - K-Town, IL

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Robert Half - Chicago, IL

Quality Assurance Inspector III

Atkore - Harvey, IL

Software Quality Assurance Manager

Wolters Kluwer - Springfield, IL

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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): $74,574
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer II (2-4 years): $95,706
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer III (4-7 years): $116,030
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV (7+ years): $133,993
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer V (7-10 years): $156,711
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer I0-2 years$74,574
Software Quality Assurance Engineer II2-4 years$95,706
Software Quality Assurance Engineer III4-7 years$116,030
Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV7+ years$133,993
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V7-10 years$156,711
$74,574 Software ...
$95,706 Software ...
$116,030 Software ...
$133,993 Software ...
$156,711 Software ...
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What Am I Worth?

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:

  • Effingham: $106,956
  • Saint Peter: $106,810
  • Salem: $107,216

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

Software Quality Assurance Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $129,779. While startup companies pay approximate $109,754.

Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$109,754
Growth Stage51~500$116,082
Established501~5000$125,326
Enterprise5000+$129,779

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

For Software Quality Assurance Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$127,633$61.010%
Business Services$127,633$61.010%
Construction$127,633$61.010%
Energy & Utilities$127,633$61.010%
Healthcare$127,633$61.010%

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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$107,418
Average $116,030/year
$122,256
$8,951
Average $9,669/month
$10,188
$2,066
Average $2,231/week
$2,351
$52
Average $56/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $122,256 $10,188 $2,351 $59
Average $116,030 $9,669 $2,231 $56
25th Percentile $107,418 $8,951 $2,066 $52

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 $133,993 - a projected growth of 15% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Engineer III

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