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Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV in the United States is $131,444 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,744
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $122,576 to $139,976
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,502
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View as table View as graph 25% $122,576 10% $114,502 90% $147,744 75% $139,976 $131,444 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $139,976 $11,665 $2,692 $67
Average $131,444 $10,954 $2,528 $63
25th Percentile $122,576 $10,215 $2,357 $59
Check out Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Job Openings in the United States
Software Security Engineer IV

Airlines Reporting Corporation - ARLINGTON, VA

SOFTWARE ENGINEER IV

Cyberstrike Group - HANOVER, MD

Quality Assurance Engineer

PlanIT Group LLC - ORLANDO, FL

Software Quality Engineer

Abel Personnel, Inc. - RICHMND, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV'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 IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $126,811
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $127,473
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $128,532
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,120
  • Expert (over 8 years): $132,335
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV$126,811
Intermediate Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV$127,473
Senior Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV$128,532
Specialist Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV$130,120
Expert Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV$132,335
$126,811 0 yr
$127,473 < 2 yrs
$128,532 2-4 yrs
$130,120 5-8 yrs
$132,335 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IVs

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: $165,790
  • San Francisco: $164,160
  • Oakland: $160,519

What Skills Can Increase a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Software Testing (Mentioned in 3.19% Job Postings): Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the software product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software implementation. Test techniques include the process of executing a program or application with the intent of finding software bugs (errors or other defects), and verifying that the software product is fit for use. Software testing involves the execution of a software component or system component to evaluate one or more properties of interest. In general, these properties indicate the extent to which the component or system under test: meets the requirements that guided its design and development, responds correctly to all kinds of inputs, performs its functions within an acceptable time, it is sufficiently usable, can be installed and run in its intended environments, and achieves the general result its stakeholders desire.
  • Scrum (Mentioned in 2.29% Job Postings): Using an agile process for managing the lifecycle development of software products.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.01%
Software Testing 3.19%
Scrum 2.29%
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 IV's salary.
  • Products and Services: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Programming: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Products and Services
 $145,903
11%
Programming
 $139,331
6%
Integrity
 $136,702
4%
Debugging
 $136,702
4%
Time Management
 $136,702
4%
Oral Communication
 $136,702
4%
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV'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 January 01, 2026
$122,576
Average $131,444/year
$139,976
$10,215
Average $10,954/month
$11,665
$2,357
Average $2,528/week
$2,692
$59
Average $63/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,976 $11,665 $2,692 $67
Average $131,444 $10,954 $2,528 $63
25th Percentile $122,576 $10,215 $2,357 $59

Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V
Software Quality Assurance Director

For a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,585 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV

Salary Trends for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV

Salaries for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $122,496 in 2023 to around $121,031 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$122,496
2024
$121,757
2025
$121,031
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $122,496
2024 $121,757
2025 $121,031
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV

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FAQ about Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV

1. Where can a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV earn the most?

A Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV'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 IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV is $165,790.

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

The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV is $147,744.

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

The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV is $114,502.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV?

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 highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ 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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