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QA Associate III Salary in the United States

How much does a QA Associate III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA Associate III in the United States is $102,729 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $118,763
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,244 to $111,122
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $84,608
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence QA Associate III Salaries

A QA Associate 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects QA Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a QA Associate 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $69,404
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,368
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,112
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $127,392
  • Expert (over 8 years): $154,200
Levels Salary
Quality A... Level QA Associate III$69,404
Quality A... Level QA Associate III$84,368
QA Associ... Level QA Associate III$102,112
Quality A... Level QA Associate III$127,392
Quality A... Level QA Associate III$154,200
View as Graph

How Do QA Associate 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 QA Associate IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $113,742.
  • California: $113,310.
  • Massachusetts: $111,800.

Top Paying Cities for QA Associate 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: $129,572
  • San Francisco: $128,153
  • Oakland: $125,453

What Skills Can Increase a QA Associate III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.19% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.19%
Packaging 2.11%
Product Quality 1.46%
See More Skills

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 QA Associate III's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $106,838
4%
Computer Science $106,838
4%
Project Management $106,838
4%
Get Latest Data

QA Associate III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For QA Associate III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, QA Associate positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA Associate III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a QA Associate III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$113,002$54.010%
Business Services$113,002$54.010%
Construction$113,002$54.010%
Energy & Utilities$113,002$54.010%
Healthcare$113,002$54.010%

How Education impacts a QA Associate III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA Associate IIIs 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 a QA Associate III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $100,752 and $105,909).

QA Associate III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for QA Associate III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 12.9%
High School 12.9%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 57.6%
Masters 23.5%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

QA Associate III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a QA Associate 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$93,244
Average $102,729/year
$111,122
$7,770
Average $8,561/month
$9,260
$1,793
Average $1,976/week
$2,137
$45
Average $49/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $111,122 $9,260 $2,137 $53
Average $102,729 $8,561 $1,976 $49
25th Percentile $93,244 $7,770 $1,793 $45

Most common benefits for QA Associate III

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

Common company salaries for QA Associate III

Here are companies hiring for QA Associate III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about QA Associate III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for QA Associate III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for QA Associate III roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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