Test Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Test Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Test Manager in the United States is $127,887 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

However, a Test Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,098
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $115,721 to $140,560
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,644
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View as table View as graph 25% $115,721 10% $104,644 90% $152,098 75% $140,560 $127,887 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Test Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $140,560 $11,713 $2,703 $68
Average $127,887 $10,657 $2,459 $61
25th Percentile $115,721 $9,643 $2,225 $56
Check out Test Manager Job Openings in the United States
Senior Test Manager

AA2IT - Columbus, OH

Test Technician

Advanced Technology Innovation Corp. - Columbus, OH

Test Technician

Atwell, LLC - Columbus, OH

Test Engineer - Reliability

Goken - Columbus, OH

Search More Test Manager Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Test Manager Salaries

A Test Manager'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 Test Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Test Manager'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): $135,694
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $148,027
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,421
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $126,956
  • Expert (over 8 years): $157,189
Levels Salary
Test Engi... Level Test Manager$135,694
Test Engi... Level Test Manager$148,027
Test Engi... Level Test Manager$106,421
Test Mana... Level Test Manager$126,956
Test Engi... Level Test Manager$157,189
$135,694 0 yr
$148,027 < 2 yrs
$106,421 2-4 yrs
$126,956 5-8 yrs
$157,189 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Test Managers

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: $161,304
  • San Francisco: $159,538
  • Oakland: $156,176

What Skills Can Increase a Test Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.33% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Electrical Engineering (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Electrical engineering is a technical discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It emerged as an identified activity in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use. Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of fields including, computer engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, and electronics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, and electrical materials science. See glossary of electrical and electronics engineering.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.33%
Electrical Engineering 2.4%
Data Entry 1.31%
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 Test Manager's salary.
  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Semiconductors: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Test Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Container
$136,839
7%
Semiconductors
$135,560
6%
Test Engineering
$133,002
4%
SOP
$131,724
3%
Test Automation
$131,724
3%
Process Improvement
$131,724
3%
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Test Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Test Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 47% above the average. In contrast, Test Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Test Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Test Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$187,994$90.047%
Pharmaceuticals$175,205$84.037%
Financial Services$162,416$78.027%
Internet$156,022$75.022%
Biotechnology$149,628$72.017%

How Education impacts a Test Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Test Managers 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 Test Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $133,982 and $141,049).

Test Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Test Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 1.8%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 42.0%
Doctorate 1.8%
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Test Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Test Manager'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Test Manager

Salaries for a Test Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $117,101 in 2023 to around $116,549 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Test Manager salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Test Manager Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$117,101
2024
$117,286
2025
$116,549
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $117,101
2024 $117,286
2025 $116,549
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Test Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Test Manager

Here are companies hiring for Test Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Test Manager Job

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

United States
  • Blue Star Partners LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Blue Star Partners LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. CCaaS Business Test Lead. Location: Columbus, OH. Work Model for Local Candidates. Hybrid (Tuesday–Thursday onsite, Monda... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Battle Green

    Columbus, OH

    Battle Green | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Our Dispensary Agents are not only the face of UpTop but help patients and customers in finding the products... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Global Placement Firm

    Columbus, OH

    Global Placement Firm | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. SAP Test Engineer (25008-1). Columbus, OH (On-site). Industry. Information Technology & Services. Experience Level. Mid-S... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Blue Star Partners LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Blue Star Partners LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Quality Assurance Test Lead. Location. Columbus, OH (Local Candidates only - Hybrid – 3 days onsite per week).... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Christian Brothers Automotive

    Columbus, OH

    Christian Brothers Automotive | Columbus, OH

    Polaris General Application. Our mission is simple: To create an uncommonly great experience for customers in need of auto service and repair. Christian Br... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Chase

    Columbus, OH

    Chase | Columbus, OH

    Compliance And Operations Risk Test Lead. Join our dynamic team to navigate complex risk landscapes and fortify technology governance, making a pivotal imp... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Test Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Test Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Test Manager roles, with salaries approximately 47% 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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