QA TECHNICIAN I Salary in the United States

How much does a QA TECHNICIAN I make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA TECHNICIAN I in the United States is $69,032 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,796
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,235 to $75,190
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,137
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,235 10% $54,137 90% $80,796 75% $75,190 $69,032 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

QA TECHNICIAN I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $75,190 $6,266 $1,446 $36
Average $69,032 $5,753 $1,328 $33
25th Percentile $61,235 $5,103 $1,178 $29
Check out QA TECHNICIAN I Job Openings in the United States
QA Technician

KOCH FOODS - Lindenwald, OH

QA Technician

U.S. Cotton, LLC - Cleveland, OH

QA Floor Technician

Post Holdings - West Jefferson, OH

Barrett Paving

Bouygues Group - Cincinnati, OH

Search More QA TECHNICIAN I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence QA TECHNICIAN I Salaries

A QA TECHNICIAN I'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 TECHNICIAN I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a QA TECHNICIAN I'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): $68,579
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $83,364
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,899
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $125,884
  • Expert (over 8 years): $152,350
Levels Salary
QA TECHNI... Level QA TECHNICIAN I$68,579
Quality A... Level QA TECHNICIAN I$83,364
Quality A... Level QA TECHNICIAN I$100,899
Quality A... Level QA TECHNICIAN I$125,884
Quality A... Level QA TECHNICIAN I$152,350
$68,579 0 yr
$83,364 < 2 yrs
$100,899 2-4 yrs
$125,884 5-8 yrs
$152,350 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do QA TECHNICIAN I 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 TECHNICIAN Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $76,432.
  • California: $76,142.
  • Massachusetts: $75,127.

Top Paying Cities for QA TECHNICIAN Is

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: $87,070
  • San Francisco: $86,117
  • Oakland: $84,302

What Skills Can Increase a QA TECHNICIAN I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.77% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Auditing (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): Auditing refers to the independent examination of financial information of any entity whether profit oriented or not. It is a safeguard measure that prevents corruption.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.77%
SOP 2.28%
Auditing 1.55%
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 TECHNICIAN I's salary.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • SQL: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science
$76,625
11%
Project Management
$75,935
10%
SQL
$75,935
10%
Agile
$73,864
7%
Leadership
$73,174
6%
Initiative
$73,174
6%
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QA TECHNICIAN I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For QA TECHNICIAN I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, QA TECHNICIAN positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA TECHNICIAN I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a QA TECHNICIAN I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$89,741$43.030%
Energy & Utilities$86,290$41.025%
Financial Services$82,838$40.020%
Pharmaceuticals$82,838$40.020%
Software & Networking$82,838$40.020%

How Education impacts a QA TECHNICIAN I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA TECHNICIAN Is enter the field with a Associate'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 TECHNICIAN I with a Associate's Degree is between $63,731 and $67,850).

QA TECHNICIAN I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for QA TECHNICIAN I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 19.2%
Associates 13.9%
Bachelors 54.5%
Masters 11.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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QA TECHNICIAN I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a QA TECHNICIAN I'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for QA TECHNICIAN I

Salaries for a QA TECHNICIAN I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $59,458 in 2023 to around $59,662 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA TECHNICIAN I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of QA TECHNICIAN I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$59,458
2024
$59,845
2025
$59,662
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $59,458
2024 $59,845
2025 $59,662
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for QA TECHNICIAN I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for QA TECHNICIAN I

Here are companies hiring for QA TECHNICIAN I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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

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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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