Junior QA Analyst Salary in the United States

How much does a Junior QA Analyst make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior QA Analyst in the United States is $74,586 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Junior QA Analyst's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,761
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,348 to $79,912
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,578

Key Factors That Influence Junior QA Analyst Salaries

A Junior QA Analyst'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.

How Experience Level Affects Junior QA Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior QA Analyst'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): $74,194
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,211
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,425
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,300
  • Expert (over 8 years): $155,941
Levels Salary
Junior QA... Level Junior QA Analyst$74,194
Software ... Level Junior QA Analyst$95,211
Software ... Level Junior QA Analyst$115,425
Software ... Level Junior QA Analyst$133,300
Software ... Level Junior QA Analyst$155,941

How Do Junior QA Analyst 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 Junior QA Analysts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $82,582.
  • California: $82,268.
  • Massachusetts: $81,172.

Top Paying Cities for Junior QA Analysts

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: $94,075
  • San Francisco: $93,045
  • Oakland: $91,084

What Skills Can Increase a Junior QA Analyst's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.71% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Test Automation (Mentioned in 3.05% Job Postings): Leveraging automation tools to maintain test data, execute tests, and analyze test results to improve software quality.
  • Automated Testing (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): Test automation is the use of software to control the execution of tests and the comparison of predicted to actual outcomes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.71%
Test Automation 3.05%
Automated Testing 1.76%

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 Junior QA Analyst's salary.

  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Java $77,569
4%
Innovation $76,824
3%
Software Development $76,824
3%

Junior QA Analyst Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Junior QA Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Junior QA Analyst positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior QA Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Junior QA Analyst

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$111,879$54.050%
Pharmaceuticals$93,232$45.025%
Financial Services$89,503$43.020%
Energy & Utilities$85,774$41.015%
Biotechnology$82,045$39.010%

How Education impacts a Junior QA Analyst's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior QA Analysts enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Junior QA Analyst with a No Diploma is between $62,150 and $66,214).

Junior QA Analyst Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior QA Analyst
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.0%
High School 5.2%
Associates 11.2%
Bachelors 56.7%
Masters 23.9%
Doctorate 0.0%

Junior QA Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Junior QA Analyst'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
$69,348
Average $74,586/year
$79,912
$5,779
Average $6,216/month
$6,659
$1,334
Average $1,434/week
$1,537
$33
Average $36/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,912 $6,659 $1,537 $38
Average $74,586 $6,216 $1,434 $36
25th Percentile $69,348 $5,779 $1,334 $33

Most common benefits for Junior QA Analyst

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

Common company salaries for Junior QA Analyst

Here are companies hiring for Junior QA Analyst and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Junior QA Analyst

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Junior QA Analyst?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Junior QA Analyst roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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