Entry Level Qa Engineer Salary in Columbia, IL

How much does an Entry Level Qa Engineer make in Columbia, IL?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Qa Engineer in Columbia, IL is $64,046 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

However, an Entry Level Qa Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,494
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,734 to $70,038
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,167
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,734 10% $48,167 90% $75,494 75% $70,038 $64,046 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Qa Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $70,038 $5,836 $1,347 $34
Average $64,046 $5,337 $1,232 $31
25th Percentile $55,734 $4,645 $1,072 $27
Check out Entry Level Qa Engineer Job Openings in Columbia, IL
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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Qa Engineer Salaries

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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Qa Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $65,777
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,959
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $96,777
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $120,739
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,134
Levels Salary
Entry Lev... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer$65,777
Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer$79,959
Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer$96,777
Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer$120,739
Quality A... Level Entry Level Qa Engineer$146,134
$65,777 0 yr
$79,959 < 2 yrs
$96,777 2-4 yrs
$120,739 5-8 yrs
$146,134 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Qa Engineers

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: $83,966
  • San Francisco: $83,046
  • Oakland: $81,296

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Qa Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.77% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Auditing (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): Auditing refers to the independent examination of financial information of any entity whether profit oriented or not. It is a safeguard measure that prevents corruption.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.77%
SOP 2.28%
Auditing 1.55%
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 an Entry Level Qa Engineer's salary.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • SQL: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science
$71,091
11%
Project Management
$70,450
10%
SQL
$70,450
10%
Agile
$68,529
7%
Leadership
$67,888
6%
Initiative
$67,888
6%
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Entry Level Qa Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for an Entry Level Qa Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$83,259$40.030%
Energy & Utilities$80,057$38.025%
Financial Services$76,855$37.020%
Pharmaceuticals$76,855$37.020%
Software & Networking$76,855$37.020%

Entry Level Qa Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Entry Level Qa Engineer Job

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.

United States
  • Healthcare Staffing Now LLC

    Columbia, IL

    Healthcare Staffing Now LLC | Columbia, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Position Overview. Specialize in assessing, treating, and managing residents with wounds, pressure injuries,... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Eye Care Partners Career Opportunities

    Columbia, IL

    Eye Care Partners Career Opportunities | Columbia, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. EyeCare Partners is the nation's leading provider of clinically integrated eye care. Our national network of over 300 oph... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Top Shooters Inc

    Columbia, IL

    Top Shooters Inc | Columbia, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. Top Shooters is hiring dependable Line Cooks and Restaurant Kitchen Team Members for our high-volume sports bar and resta... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Domino's Pizza LLC

    Columbia, IL

    Domino's Pizza LLC | Columbia, IL

    Delivery DriverLooking to make some extra cash in your spare time. Tried the food delivery or rideshare gigs but tired of them taking most of the money. Co... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Consolidated Precision Products

    Columbia, IL

    Consolidated Precision Products | Columbia, IL

    Front Desk ReceptionistCPP Clinics is a leading provider of medical aesthetics services, offering innovative treatments across multiple medspas under the C... more

    7 Days Ago

  • National Staffing Solutions

    Columbia, IL

    National Staffing Solutions | Columbia, IL

    Details of the PT - Skilled Nursing opening in Columbia, IL:Anticipated Start Date:03/16/2026Anticipated Pay Range:$1670.63 - $1929.38Work Setting:Skilled ... more

    7 Days Ago

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Cost of Living In Columbia, IL

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