As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Quality Engineer in the United States is $75,635 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, an Associate Quality Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Associate Quality 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Quality 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 Level Associate Quality Engineer | $74,734 |
| Intermediate Level Associate Quality Engineer | $75,388 |
| Senior Level Associate Quality Engineer | $76,626 |
| Specialist Level Associate Quality Engineer | $76,873 |
| Expert Level Associate Quality Engineer | $77,038 |
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 Associate Quality Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.09% |
| Software Development | 2.91% |
| Scrum | 2.02% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Scrum
|
$99,082 |
31%
|
|
Software Testing
|
$92,275 |
22%
|
|
Jenkins
|
$89,250 |
18%
|
|
Agile
|
$86,224 |
14%
|
|
Linux
|
$85,468 |
13%
|
|
QA Automation
|
$84,711 |
12%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Quality Engineers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Associate Quality Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $71,485 and $75,711).
Associate Quality Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 8.8% |
| Associates | 8.8% |
| Bachelors | 59.6% |
| Masters | 21.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.8% |
Understanding how an Associate Quality 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for an Associate Quality Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $65,744 in 2023 to around $66,010 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Quality Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $65,744 |
| 2024 | $66,106 |
| 2025 | $66,010 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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