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Software Quality Assurance Tester II Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Tester II in the United States is $54,246 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,547
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $47,587 to $62,255
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $41,524
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Tester II Salaries

A Software Quality Assurance Tester 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 Tester II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Tester 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 Tester I (0-1 years): $47,828
  • Software Quality Assurance Tester II (1-3 years): $54,246
  • Software Quality Assurance Tester III (3-5 years): $64,704
  • Software Quality Assurance Tester IV (5-7 years): $72,707
  • Software Quality Assurance Supervisor (7+ years): $120,596
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Software Quality Assurance Tester I0-1 years$47,828
Software Quality Assurance Tester II1-3 years$54,246
Software Quality Assurance Tester III3-5 years$64,704
Software Quality Assurance Tester IV5-7 years$72,707
Software Quality Assurance Supervisor7+ years$120,596
View as Graph

How Do Software Quality Assurance Tester II 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 Tester IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $60,061.
  • California: $59,833.
  • Massachusetts: $59,036.

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Tester 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:

  • San Jose: $68,420
  • San Francisco: $67,671
  • Oakland: $66,245

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.51% 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 2.91% 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.
  • Software Development (Mentioned in 2.27% Job Postings): Software development is the process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and bug fixing involved in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. Software development is a process of writing and maintaining the source code, but in a broader sense, it includes all that is involved between the conception of the desired software through to the final manifestation of the software, sometimes in a planned and structured process. Therefore, software development may include research, new development, prototyping, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, or any other activities that result in software products. Software can be developed for a variety of purposes, the three most common being to meet specific needs of a specific client/business (the case with custom software), to meet a perceived need of some set of potential users (the case with commercial and open source software), or for personal use (e.g. a scientist may write software to automate a mundane task). Embedded software development, that is, the development of embedded software, such as used for controlling consumer products, requires the development process to be integrated with the development of the controlled physical product. System software underlies applications and the programming process itself, and is often developed separately.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.51%
Software Testing 2.91%
Software Development 2.27%
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 Tester II's salary.

  • IDEA: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Social Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Penetration Testing: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
IDEA $60,213
11%
Social Engineering $59,128
9%
Penetration Testing $58,586
8%
Get Latest Data

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

Software Quality Assurance Tester II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $60,622. While startup companies pay approximate $51,280.

Software Quality Assurance Tester II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $51,280
Growth Stage 51~500 $54,234
Established 501~5000 $58,538
Enterprise 5000+ $60,622

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

For Software Quality Assurance Tester II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Tester positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Tester II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Tester II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$65,095$31.020%
Biotechnology$62,383$30.015%
Financial Services$62,383$30.015%
Software & Networking$62,383$30.015%
Energy & Utilities$59,671$29.010%

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

Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Tester 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$47,587
Average $54,246/year
$62,255
$3,966
Average $4,521/month
$5,188
$915
Average $1,043/week
$1,197
$23
Average $26/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $62,255 $5,188 $1,197 $30
Average $54,246 $4,521 $1,043 $26
25th Percentile $47,587 $3,966 $915 $23

Software Quality Assurance Tester II Salary Growth & Career Path

Software Quality Assurance Tester II

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Advancement

For a Software Quality Assurance Tester II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Tester III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $64,704 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Tester II

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

Common company salaries for Software Quality Assurance Tester II

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

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FAQ about Software Quality Assurance Tester II

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

A Software Quality Assurance Tester II'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 Tester II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Quality Assurance Tester II is $68,420.

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

The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Tester II is $69,547.

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

The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Tester II is $41,524.

4. What are the responsibilities of Software Quality Assurance Tester II?

Manually tests features of new software releases using pre-defined test plans and cases to identify defects, bugs, and usability issues. Utilizes standardized testing procedures to ensure consistent and accurate diagnosis. Executes tests on a variety of devices, browsers, and operating systems to ensure optimal user experience and functionality across platforms. Documents test results and uses designated systems and tools to track and report outcomes. Performs follow-up rounds of testing as needed to ensure defects are resolved. Requires an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality Assurance Tester II roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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