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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Staff QA Engineer in New York is $82,029 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Staff QA Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Staff QA Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $88,112 | $7,343 | $1,694 | $42 |
| Average | $82,029 | $6,836 | $1,577 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,137 | $6,261 | $1,445 | $36 |
NIKE - New York City, NY
Mercor - New York, NY
Booker DiMaio, LLC - New York City, NY
Butterfly Network - New York, NY
A Staff QA 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 Staff QA 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 |
|---|---|
| Staff QA ... Level Staff QA Engineer | $81,581 |
| Quality A... Level Staff QA Engineer | $96,019 |
| Quality A... Level Staff QA Engineer | $108,604 |
| Quality A... Level Staff QA Engineer | $135,074 |
| Quality A... Level Staff QA Engineer | $162,061 |
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 Staff QA 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 Staff QA Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 35% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Staff QA Engineer positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Staff QA Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $98,434 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $98,434 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $94,333 | $45.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $90,231 | $43.0 | 10% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $86,130 | $41.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Staff QA 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 | $88,112 | $7,343 | $1,694 | $42 |
| Average | $82,029 | $6,836 | $1,577 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $75,137 | $6,261 | $1,445 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Staff QA Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
US Mobile
New York, NY
US Mobile | New York, NY
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New York City, NY
Kaav Inc. | New York City, NY
It Business Systems Delivery Customer Engagement Pega The IT Business Systems Delivery (BSD) Customer Engagement Pega team collaborates with our Customer O... more
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Mercor
New York, NY
Mercor | New York, NY
Job Description. Job Description. About the job. Mercor. connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San F... more
9 Days Ago
Saransh Inc
New York City, NY
Saransh Inc | New York City, NY
Position Details :Job Title :Senior SDETWork Location :NYC, NYDuration :Long TermJob Description8years of experience as a QA Automation Engineer Software D... more
10 Days Ago
Thera
New York, NY
Thera | New York, NY
Job Description. Job Description. 🚀. Staff Engineer, Thera (NYC, in-person). Thera is building the financial OS for modern SMBs. Payroll, payments, treasu... more
6 Days Ago
Mark43
New York, NY
Mark43 | New York, NY
Job Description. Job Description. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the country in which the role is being hired. We are unable to ... more
9 Days Ago
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