Quality Assurance Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Quality Assurance Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Technician I in the United States is $67,241 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Quality Assurance Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,713
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,649 to $73,246
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,736
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View as table View as graph 25% $59,649 10% $52,736 90% $78,713 75% $73,246 $67,241 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Quality Assurance Technician I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $73,246 $6,104 $1,409 $35
Average $67,241 $5,603 $1,293 $32
25th Percentile $59,649 $4,971 $1,147 $29
Check out Quality Assurance Technician I Job Openings in the United States
Quality Assurance Specialist

S R INTERNATIONAL INC - Columbus, OH

Director of Quality Assurance

MARYHAVEN,INC - Columbus, OH

Lead Quality Assurance

JumpMind, LLC - Columbus, OH

Supervisor Quality Assurance

Allied Mineral Products Holding, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Search More Quality Assurance Technician I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Quality Assurance Technician I Salaries

A Quality Assurance 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 Quality Assurance Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Assurance 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): $66,800
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $81,202
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $98,281
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,616
  • Expert (over 8 years): $148,406
Levels Salary
Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Technician I$66,800
Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Technician I$81,202
Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Technician I$98,281
Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Technician I$122,616
Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Technician I$148,406
$66,800 0 yr
$81,202 < 2 yrs
$98,281 2-4 yrs
$122,616 5-8 yrs
$148,406 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Quality Assurance 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 Quality Assurance Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $74,450.
  • California: $74,167.
  • Massachusetts: $73,179.

Top Paying Cities for Quality Assurance 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: $84,811
  • San Francisco: $83,883
  • Oakland: $82,115

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Assurance 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 Quality Assurance 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
$74,638
11%
Project Management
$73,965
10%
SQL
$73,965
10%
Agile
$71,948
7%
Leadership
$71,276
6%
Initiative
$71,276
6%
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Quality Assurance Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Assurance 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, Quality Assurance Technician positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Assurance Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Quality Assurance Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$87,414$42.030%
Energy & Utilities$84,052$40.025%
Financial Services$80,690$39.020%
Pharmaceuticals$80,690$39.020%
Software & Networking$80,690$39.020%

How Education impacts a Quality Assurance Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Assurance 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 Quality Assurance Technician I with a Associate's Degree is between $63,731 and $67,850).

Quality Assurance Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Assurance 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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Quality Assurance Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Assurance 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Quality Assurance Technician I

Salaries for a Quality Assurance Technician I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $57,912 in 2023 to around $58,111 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Quality Assurance Technician I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Quality Assurance Technician I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,912
2024
$58,289
2025
$58,111
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,912
2024 $58,289
2025 $58,111
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Quality Assurance Technician I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Quality Assurance Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Quality Assurance Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Quality Assurance Technician I Job

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

United States
  • Cerelia Bakery Canada LP

    Columbus, OH

    Cerelia Bakery Canada LP | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About Cerelia. Cerelia is a global leader in ready-to-bake and ready-to-eat doughs, proudly serving customers across Nort... more

    9 Days Ago

  • IAP DESIGN-BUILD LLC

    Columbus, OH

    IAP DESIGN-BUILD LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Position Description: IAP Government Services Group is a National Construction Management firm with an immediate opening ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • AAA Club Alliance

    Columbus, OH

    AAA Club Alliance | Columbus, OH

    Manager, Digital Quality AssuranceAAA Club Alliance is hiring for a Manager, Digital Quality Assurance to join the team at one of our office locations:Wilm... more

    10 Days Ago

  • TridentCare

    Columbus, OH

    TridentCare | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. ROLE. Facility Contracting & Quality Assurance (QA) Services analyst is responsible for the review and auditing of facili... more

    11 Days Ago

  • giftHEALTH Inc

    Columbus, OH

    giftHEALTH Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. About the Role. Gifthealth is looking for a Lead, Quality Assurance Specialist to own the client-facing side... more

    12 Days Ago

  • Corporate One FCU

    Columbus, OH

    Corporate One FCU | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Location. Candidates in the Columbus, Ohio and Jacksonville, Florida area are preferred. remote employment is also possib... more

    8 Days Ago

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FAQ about Quality Assurance Technician I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Quality Assurance Technician I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Assurance Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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