Software Quality Analyst Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Quality Analyst make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Analyst in the United States is $72,847 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,785
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,727 to $78,049
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,066

Key Factors That Influence Software Quality Analyst Salaries

A Software Quality 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 Software Quality Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality 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): $72,464
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,986
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $115,568
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $130,187
  • Expert (over 8 years): $152,317
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Software Quality Analyst$72,464
Software ... Level Software Quality Analyst$92,986
Software ... Level Software Quality Analyst$115,568
Software ... Level Software Quality Analyst$130,187
Software ... Level Software Quality Analyst$152,317

Top Paying Cities for Software Quality 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: $91,882
  • San Francisco: $90,876
  • Oakland: $88,960

What Skills Can Increase a Software Quality 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 Software Quality 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 $75,761
4%
Innovation $75,032
3%
Software Development $75,032
3%

Software Quality Analyst Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Quality 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, Software Quality Analyst positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Quality Analyst

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$109,270$53.050%
Pharmaceuticals$91,058$44.025%
Financial Services$87,416$42.020%
Energy & Utilities$83,774$40.015%
Biotechnology$80,131$39.010%

How Education impacts a Software Quality Analyst's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Quality 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 Software Quality Analyst with a No Diploma is between $62,150 and $66,214).

Software Quality Analyst Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Quality 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%

Software Quality Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Quality 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 October 01, 2026
$67,727
Average $72,847/year
$78,049
$5,644
Average $6,071/month
$6,504
$1,302
Average $1,401/week
$1,501
$33
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $78,049 $6,504 $1,501 $38
Average $72,847 $6,071 $1,401 $35
25th Percentile $67,727 $5,644 $1,302 $33

Most common benefits for Software Quality Analyst

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

Common company salaries for Software Quality Analyst

Here are companies hiring for Software Quality Analyst and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Software Quality Analyst Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Quality Analyst job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Software Quality Analyst

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Quality Analyst?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Quality 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst