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Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor in the United States is $120,596 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,972
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $109,691 to $128,121
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $99,763
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Supervisor'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 Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor'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 V (7-10 years): $153,788
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI (10-12 years): $176,668
  • Software Quality Assurance Supervisor (12+ years): $120,596
  • Software Quality Assurance Manager (12+ years): $137,638
  • Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager (12+ years): $166,333
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Engineer V7-10 years$153,788
Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI10-12 years$176,668
Software Quality Assurance Supervisor12+ years$120,596
Software Quality Assurance Manager12+ years$137,638
Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager12+ years$166,333
View as Graph

How Do Software Quality Assurance Supervisor 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 Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $133,524.
  • California: $133,017.
  • Massachusetts: $131,245.

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Supervisors

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: $152,108
  • San Francisco: $150,442
  • Oakland: $147,272

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.74% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • ISO (Mentioned in 2.15% Job Postings): The International Organization for Standardization is an international standard development organization composed of representatives from the national standards organizations of member countries.
  • Good Manufacturing Practice (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is a system for ensuring that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.74%
ISO 2.15%
Good Manufacturing Practice 1.26%
See More Skills

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 Supervisor's salary.

  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Communicates Effectively: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Management $127,832
6%
Interviewing $127,832
6%
Communicates Effectively $125,420
4%
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Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Software Quality Assurance Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $134,771. While startup companies pay approximate $114,003.

Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $114,003
Growth Stage 51~500 $120,569
Established 501~5000 $130,139
Enterprise 5000+ $134,771

Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Quality Assurance Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 33% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Supervisor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$142,303$68.018%
Energy & Utilities$138,685$67.015%
Internet$135,068$65.012%
Construction$132,656$64.010%
Aerospace & Defense$130,244$63.08%

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

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor'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 September 01, 2026
$109,691
Average $120,596/year
$128,121
$9,141
Average $10,050/month
$10,677
$2,109
Average $2,319/week
$2,464
$53
Average $58/hour
$62
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $128,121 $10,677 $2,464 $62
Average $120,596 $10,050 $2,319 $58
25th Percentile $109,691 $9,141 $2,109 $53

Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Supervisor

Next Role

Advancement

For a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $137,638 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor

Here are companies hiring for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Quality Assurance Supervisor

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

A Software Quality Assurance Supervisor'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 Supervisor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor is $152,108.

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

The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor is $134,972.

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

The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor is $99,763.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Quality Assurance Supervisor?

Supervises the daily operations of a software quality assurance team. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Assigns testing tasks to team members. Trains team on tools and methodologies to ensure that software tests identify defects and comply with quality standards. Evaluates testing outcomes against expected results and recommends improvements to test plans and scripts as needed. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality Assurance Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

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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