Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salary in the United States
How much does a Software Quality Assurance Tester III make in the United States?
As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Tester III in the United States is $64,695 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, a Software Quality Assurance Tester III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,124
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $58,848 to $70,154
Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salaries
A Software Quality Assurance Tester 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 Tester Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance Tester 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 Tester I (0-1 years): $47,813
Software Quality Assurance Tester II (1-3 years): $54,231
Software Quality Assurance Tester III (3-5 years): $64,695
Software Quality Assurance Tester IV (5-7 years): $72,705
How Do Software Quality Assurance Tester 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 Tester IIIs.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Top Paying Cities for Software Quality Assurance Tester 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:
San Jose: $81,600
San Francisco: $80,706
Oakland: $79,006
San Jose, CA$81,600
San Francisco, CA$80,706
Oakland, CA$79,006
New York, NY$74,489
Paramus, NJ$73,583
Queens Village, NY$73,580
Passaic, NJ$73,519
Bergenfield, NJ$73,513
Stamford, CT$73,371
Huntington, NY$73,344
Newark, NJ$72,866
Bridgeport, CT$72,729
Vallejo, CA$72,601
New Brunswick, NJ$72,575
Petaluma, CA$72,536
Middlesex, NJ$72,413
Somerset, NJ$72,368
Santa Cruz, CA$72,284
Boston, MA$71,889
Monterey, CA$71,662
Seattle, WA$71,514
Santa Rosa, CA$71,501
Los Angeles, CA$71,482
Juneau, AK$71,313
Washington, DC$71,242
Orange, CA$71,012
Santa Ana, CA$70,841
Long Beach, CA$70,776
Anaheim, CA$70,763
Anchorage, AK$70,731
Santa Maria, CA$70,537
Everett, WA$70,524
Danbury, CT$70,296
Bremerton, WA$70,207
Tacoma, WA$69,974
New Suffolk, NY$69,973
Sacramento, CA$69,955
Santa Barbara, CA$69,884
Trenton, NJ$69,812
San Diego, CA$69,812
Brockton, MA$69,741
Fairbanks, AK$69,583
Lompoc, CA$69,418
Lowell, MA$69,365
Ventura, CA$69,353
Nashua, NH$69,340
Stockton, CA$69,334
Modesto, CA$68,861
Poughkeepsie, NY$68,719
Olympia, WA$68,596
Kennewick, WA$68,596
New Haven, CT$68,570
Lawrence, MA$68,337
Hartford, CT$68,273
Riverside, CA$68,260
New Bedford, MA$68,195
Richland, WA$68,195
Bakersfield, CA$68,104
San Bernardino, CA$68,079
New Britain, CT$68,072
Atlantic City, NJ$68,072
New London, CT$68,046
Norwich, CT$68,027
Portsmouth, NH$68,014
Boulder, CO$67,877
Portland, OR$67,787
Worcester, MA$67,781
Minneapolis, MN$67,580
Philadelphia, PA$67,490
Honolulu, HI$67,276
Saint Paul, MN$67,245
Vineland, NJ$67,231
Providence, RI$67,043
Chicago, IL$66,856
Bellingham, WA$66,778
Springfield, MA$66,726
Baltimore, MD$66,707
Chico, CA$66,545
Pittsfield, MA$66,371
Manchester, NH$66,248
Spokane, WA$65,963
Denver, CO$65,957
Albany, NY$65,652
Troy, NY$65,627
Nassau, NY$65,557
Schenectady, NY$65,491
Wilmington, DE$65,439
Burlington, VT$65,348
Salem, OR$65,323
Portland, ME$65,122
Yakima, WA$65,057
Rochester, MN$64,857
Reno, NV$64,824
Fresno, CA$64,824
Milwaukee, WI$64,766
Detroit, MI$64,701
Ann Arbor, MI$64,690
Allentown, PA$64,682
Colorado Springs, CO$64,572
Syracuse, NY$64,540
Carson City, NV$64,540
Houston, TX$64,449
Eugene, OR$64,417
Gary, IN$64,339
Springfield, OR$64,287
Bismarck, ND$64,274
Galveston, TX$64,229
Medford, OR$64,132
Fort Collins, CO$64,106
Concord, NH$64,074
Austin, TX$64,055
Mesa, AZ$63,919
Reading, PA$63,912
Phoenix, AZ$63,906
Dallas, TX$63,886
Saint Cloud, MN$63,824
Madison, WI$63,738
Utica, NY$63,563
Rochester, NY$63,459
Des Moines, IA$63,453
Raleigh, NC$63,446
Atlanta, GA$63,349
Battle Creek, MI$63,330
Salt Lake City, UT$63,311
Lancaster, PA$63,213
Harrisburg, PA$63,123
Kansas City, MO$63,058
Champaign, IL$63,045
Kansas City, KS$63,045
Fort Worth, TX$63,039
Columbus, OH$63,028
Boca Raton, FL$63,013
Pittsburgh, PA$62,987
Richmond, VA$62,961
Indianapolis, IN$62,948
Cleveland, OH$62,942
Las Vegas, NV$62,864
Cincinnati, OH$62,864
Petersburg, VA$62,767
Huntsville, AL$62,670
Lansing, MI$62,627
Lebanon, PA$62,618
Pueblo, CO$62,612
Appleton, WI$62,592
Buffalo, NY$62,567
Dayton, OH$62,547
Racine, WI$62,534
Charlotte, NC$62,528
Saint Louis, MO$62,508
York, PA$62,469
Elkhart, IN$62,469
Gastonia, NC$62,457
Billings, MT$62,442
Beaumont, TX$62,424
Lorain, OH$62,411
Benton Harbor, MI$62,398
Toledo, OH$62,385
Binghamton, NY$62,353
Rock Hill, SC$62,347
Rockford, IL$62,314
Springfield, IL$62,288
Elyria, OH$62,282
Fargo, ND$62,282
Flagstaff, AZ$62,237
Fort Lauderdale, FL$62,198
Duluth, MN$62,159
Miami, FL$62,159
Cheyenne, WY$62,114
Grand Forks, ND$62,114
Bangor, ME$61,971
Cedar Rapids, IA$61,900
Durham, NC$61,873
Louisville, KY$61,868
Grand Rapids, MI$61,855
Hialeah, FL$61,848
Casper, WY$61,758
Scranton, PA$61,680
New Orleans, LA$61,661
Virginia Beach, VA$61,654
Akron, OH$61,622
Peoria, IL$61,538
Sarasota, FL$61,525
Nashville, TN$61,480
Omaha, NE$61,480
Green Bay, WI$61,480
Baton Rouge, LA$61,447
Charleston, SC$61,434
Jamestown, NY$61,402
Davenport, IA$61,402
Tucson, AZ$61,370
Saint Petersburg, FL$61,331
Tampa, FL$61,318
Evansville, IN$61,279
Port Arthur, TX$61,279
Bradenton, FL$61,253
Santa Fe, NM$61,137
Orlando, FL$61,020
Clearwater, FL$61,001
Canton, OH$60,865
La Crosse, WI$60,865
Albuquerque, NM$60,826
Newport News, VA$60,820
High Point, NC$60,800
Ogden, UT$60,774
Corpus Christi, TX$60,723
Norfolk, VA$60,684
Laramie, WY$60,684
Rock Island, IL$60,645
Saginaw, MI$60,632
Jacksonville, FL$60,626
Salisbury, NC$60,613
Boise, ID$60,600
Moline, IL$60,567
Fort Myers, FL$60,548
Memphis, TN$60,535
Tulsa, OK$60,503
Waterloo, IA$60,464
Spartanburg, SC$60,399
Lincoln, NE$60,367
Fort Wayne, IN$60,354
Provo, UT$60,347
Cedar Falls, IA$60,270
San Antonio, TX$60,244
Greensboro, NC$60,218
South Bend, IN$60,212
Savannah, GA$60,140
Muskegon, MI$60,115
Birmingham, AL$60,108
Winston Salem, NC$60,076
Lake Charles, LA$59,921
Anderson, IN$59,908
Lexington, KY$59,888
Augusta, GA$59,869
Greenville, SC$59,869
Lima, OH$59,817
Wichita, KS$59,811
Tuscaloosa, AL$59,811
Columbia, SC$59,752
Springfield, OH$59,739
Asheville, NC$59,636
Bloomington, IN$59,591
Knoxville, TN$59,358
Shreveport, LA$59,351
Wilmington, NC$59,267
Roanoke, VA$59,267
Topeka, KS$59,151
Frankfort, KY$59,144
Oklahoma City, OK$59,099
Chillicothe, OH$59,073
Longview, TX$59,067
Melbourne, FL$59,060
Sioux Falls, SD$58,957
Mobile, AL$58,950
Terre Haute, IN$58,924
Altoona, PA$58,885
Amarillo, TX$58,840
Killeen, TX$58,821
Fayetteville, AR$58,769
Chattanooga, TN$58,750
Sioux City, IA$58,691
Idaho Falls, ID$58,678
Lynchburg, VA$58,627
Gainesville, FL$58,543
Portsmouth, OH$58,510
Little Rock, AR$58,497
Lafayette, LA$58,471
Youngstown, OH$58,471
Daytona Beach, FL$58,433
Clarksville, TN$58,426
Pensacola, FL$58,420
Temple, TX$58,415
Hopkinsville, KY$58,226
Erie, PA$58,213
Florence, SC$58,187
Charleston, WV$58,083
Great Falls, MT$58,051
Macon, GA$57,960
Tallahassee, FL$57,954
Fayetteville, NC$57,941
Waco, TX$57,928
Helena, MT$57,883
Pine Bluff, AR$57,858
Vincennes, IN$57,779
Lubbock, TX$57,753
Alamogordo, NM$57,714
Twin Falls, ID$57,656
Rapid City, SD$57,637
Jackson, MS$57,520
Huntington, WV$57,516
Greenville, MS$57,514
Parkersburg, WV$57,448
Montgomery, AL$57,436
Wichita Falls, TX$57,372
Springfield, MO$57,372
Biloxi, MS$57,339
Monroe, LA$57,274
Johnstown, PA$57,229
Sumter, SC$57,203
Columbus, GA$57,197
Pascagoula, MS$57,074
Abilene, TX$57,074
Kingsport, TN$56,906
Albany, GA$56,906
Gulfport, MS$56,886
Alexandria, LA$56,673
Fort Smith, AR$56,511
El Paso, TX$56,336
Las Cruces, NM$56,045
Harlingen, TX$55,881
Pocatello, ID$55,871
Florence, AL$55,786
Brownsville, TX$55,774
Mcallen, TX$55,638
Dothan, AL$55,547
Columbus, MS$55,163
Altus, OK$54,861
Lawton, OK$54,738
Pierre, SD$54,506
What Skills Can Increase a Software Quality Assurance Tester III's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Analysis (Mentioned in 4.17% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
SQL (Mentioned in 3.54% Job Postings): Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Java (Mentioned in 1.95% Job Postings): Using Java in the development and maintenance of application programs and systems.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Analysis
4.17%
SQL
3.54%
Java
1.95%
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 III's salary.
Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Agile Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Process Improvement
$76,340
18%
Commitment
$73,752
14%
Agile Development
$72,458
12%
Jira
$72,458
12%
Troubleshooting
$71,811
11%
Written Communication
$71,811
11%
Get Latest Data
Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Software Quality Assurance Tester III salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $72,361.
While startup companies pay approximate $61,196.
Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$61,196
Growth Stage
51~500
$64,724
Established
501~5000
$69,878
Enterprise
5000+
$72,361
Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Software Quality Assurance Tester III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average.
In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Tester positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Tester III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Software Quality Assurance Tester III
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals
$93,808
$45.0
45%
Energy & Utilities
$90,573
$44.0
40%
MFG Durable
$87,338
$42.0
35%
Construction
$84,104
$40.0
30%
Internet
$80,869
$39.0
25%
Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance Tester 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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$58,848
Average$64,695/year
$70,154
$4,904
Average$5,391/month
$5,846
$1,132
Average$1,244/week
$1,349
$28
Average$31/hour
$34
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$70,154
$5,846
$1,349
$34
Average
$64,695
$5,391
$1,244
$31
25th Percentile
$58,848
$4,904
$1,132
$28
Software Quality Assurance Tester III Salary Growth & Career Path
For a Software Quality Assurance Tester III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Software Quality Assurance Tester IV role.
This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to
$72,705 - a projected growth of
12%
over your current level.
Salaries of jobs related to Software Quality Assurance Tester III
Salary Trends for Software Quality Assurance Tester III
Salaries for a Software Quality Assurance Tester III can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary increased from $61,453 in 2023
to around $61,937 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Software Quality Assurance Tester III salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Software Quality Assurance Tester III Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$61,453
2024
$62,263
2025
$61,937
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$61,453
2024
$62,263
2025
$61,937
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Software Quality Assurance Tester III
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Quality Assurance Tester III
Here are companies hiring for Software Quality Assurance Tester III and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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FAQ about Software Quality Assurance Tester III
1. Where can a Software Quality Assurance Tester III earn the most?
A Software Quality Assurance Tester III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Software Quality Assurance Tester III is $81,600.
2. What is the highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Tester III?
The highest pay for Software Quality Assurance Tester III is $75,124.
3. What is the lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Tester III?
The lowest pay for Software Quality Assurance Tester III is $53,525.
4. What are the responsibilities of Software Quality Assurance Tester III?
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 independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.
5. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Assurance Tester III?
The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality Assurance Tester III roles,
with salaries approximately 45% 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.
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