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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Qa Engineer in California is $73,427 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, an Entry Level Qa Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Entry Level Qa Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $80,298 | $6,691 | $1,544 | $39 |
| Average | $73,427 | $6,119 | $1,412 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,899 | $5,325 | $1,229 | $31 |
PCIW STEEL CORP - Spring Valley, CA
OLogic, Inc. - Santa Clara, CA
SynergisticIT - Oakland, CA
Degenkolb Engineers - Los Angeles, CA
An Entry Level Qa Engineer'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.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Qa Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer | $75,413 |
| Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer | $91,672 |
| Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer | $110,953 |
| Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer | $138,426 |
| Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer | $167,541 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Entry Level Qa Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Entry Level Qa Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Qa Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Qa Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $95,456 | $46.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $91,784 | $44.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $88,113 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $88,113 | $42.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $88,113 | $42.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Entry Level Qa Engineer'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $80,298 | $6,691 | $1,544 | $39 |
| Average | $73,427 | $6,119 | $1,412 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,899 | $5,325 | $1,229 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Level Qa Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Degenkolb Engineers
Sacramento, CA
Degenkolb Engineers | Sacramento, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Background. Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers has more than eight decades o... more
3 Days Ago
Degenkolb Engineers
Oakland, CA
Degenkolb Engineers | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Background. Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers has more than eight decades o... more
5 Days Ago
Holmes US
Los Angeles, CA
Holmes US | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. 🌟 Launch Your Engineering Career at Holmes US. 🚀. Are you a recent graduate or new professional ready to make your mark... more
2 Days Ago
Certerra Southwest
Fresno, CA
Certerra Southwest | Fresno, CA
Job Description. Job Description. COMPANY OVERVIEW. Certerra is a growing national provider of testing, inspection, and certification services that support... more
4 Days Ago
Uptime Crew
Poway, CA
Uptime Crew | Poway, CA
Client Locations (Leading fintech firm in Silicon Valley):Mountain View, CASan Diego, CANY, NYAtlanta, GAWhy this roleStart your career using AI to code fa... more
6 Days Ago
Structural Group
Garden Grove, CA
Structural Group | Garden Grove, CA
STRUCTURAL integrates technology-driven solutions with specialty contracting services to improve, protect, and enhance the existing infrastructure of owner... more
6 Days Ago
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