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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Engineer in Washington is $103,142 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $111,557 | $9,296 | $2,145 | $54 |
| Average | $103,142 | $8,595 | $1,983 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,142 | $7,845 | $1,810 | $45 |
Arc of Greater Prince William - WOODBRIDGE, VA
ManTech International - FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MD
SimVentions, Inc - LA PLATA, MD
SimVentions, Inc - DENTSVILLE, MD
A Software Quality Assurance 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Software Quality Assurance 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 |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer | $79,889 |
| Software ... Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer | $102,523 |
| Software ... Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer | $124,292 |
| Software ... Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer | $143,538 |
| Software ... Level Software Quality Assurance Engineer | $167,896 |
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 Software Quality Assurance Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Software Quality Assurance Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Software Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Quality Assurance Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $134,084 | $64.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $128,927 | $62.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $123,770 | $60.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $118,613 | $57.0 | 15% |
| MFG Nondurable | $115,519 | $56.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Software Quality Assurance 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $111,557 | $9,296 | $2,145 | $54 |
| Average | $103,142 | $8,595 | $1,983 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,142 | $7,845 | $1,810 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Quality Assurance Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
SimVentions, Inc
CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHAPTICO, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company, is seeking a Software Engineer to develop secure, high-quality software for U.S. Departm... more
10 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
PORT TOBACCO, MD
SimVentions, Inc | PORT TOBACCO, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more
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SimVentions, Inc
MOUNT VICTORIA, MD
SimVentions, Inc | MOUNT VICTORIA, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more
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SimVentions, Inc
CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc | CHARLOTTE HALL, MD
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company, is seeking a Software Engineer to develop secure, high-quality software for U.S. Departm... more
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SimVentions, Inc
PORT ROYAL, VA
SimVentions, Inc | PORT ROYAL, VA
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, is seeking a Software Engineer. In this role, ... more
10 Days Ago
SimVentions, Inc
DAHLGREN, VA
SimVentions, Inc | DAHLGREN, VA
SimVentions, Inc., a mission-focused technology solutions company, is seeking a Software Engineer to develop secure, high-quality software for defense and ... more
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