Software Development Engineer in test Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Development Engineer in test make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Development Engineer in test in the United States is $82,909 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Software Development Engineer in test's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,921
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,103 to $89,197
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,906
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View as table View as graph 25% $76,103 10% $69,906 90% $94,921 75% $89,197 $82,909 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Development Engineer in test Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $89,197 $7,433 $1,715 $43
Average $82,909 $6,909 $1,594 $40
25th Percentile $76,103 $6,342 $1,464 $37
Check out Software Development Engineer in test Job Openings in the United States
Test Development Engineer II

Innova Solutions, Inc. - TEWKSBURY, MA

Software Test Integration Engineer

Navstar Inc. - LITTLETON, CO

Automated Test Framework Software Engineer

Navstar Inc. - ANNAPOLIS, MD

System Software Engineer

FUSE Engineering - FORT MEADE, MD

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Key Factors That Influence Software Development Engineer in test Salaries

A Software Development Engineer in test'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 Software Development Engineer in test Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Development Engineer in test'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): $81,927
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,632
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $84,019
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $84,296
  • Expert (over 8 years): $84,481
Levels Salary
Entry Level Software Development Engineer in test$81,927
Intermediate Level Software Development Engineer in test$82,632
Senior Level Software Development Engineer in test$84,019
Specialist Level Software Development Engineer in test$84,296
Expert Level Software Development Engineer in test$84,481
$81,927 0 yr
$82,632 < 2 yrs
$84,019 2-4 yrs
$84,296 5-8 yrs
$84,481 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Software Development Engineer in tests

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: $104,574
  • San Francisco: $103,545
  • Oakland: $101,249

What Skills Can Increase a Software Development Engineer in test's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Python (Mentioned in 4.66% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • Linux (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Managing a system's hardware and resources using a Unix-like open-source operating system.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.82%
Python 4.66%
Linux 2.71%
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 Software Development Engineer in test's salary.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Code Review: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Kubernetes: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching
 $100,320
21%
Code Review
 $92,029
11%
Kubernetes
 $92,029
11%
Project Management
 $92,029
11%
API
 $92,029
11%
AWS
 $92,029
11%
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How Education impacts a Software Development Engineer in test's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Software Development Engineer in tests 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 Software Development Engineer in test with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,103 and $82,080).

Software Development Engineer in test Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Software Development Engineer in test
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.8%
Associates 2.5%
Bachelors 58.4%
Masters 34.0%
Doctorate 3.0%
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Software Development Engineer in test Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Development Engineer in test'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$76,103
Average $82,909/year
$89,197
$6,342
Average $6,909/month
$7,433
$1,464
Average $1,594/week
$1,715
$37
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,197 $7,433 $1,715 $43
Average $82,909 $6,909 $1,594 $40
25th Percentile $76,103 $6,342 $1,464 $37

Salaries of jobs related to Software Development Engineer in test

Salary Trends for Software Development Engineer in test

Salaries for a Software Development Engineer in test can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $85,599 in 2023 to around $85,007 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Development Engineer in test salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Development Engineer in test Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$85,599
2024
$85,702
2025
$85,007
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $85,599
2024 $85,702
2025 $85,007
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Software Development Engineer in test

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Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Development Engineer in test

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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.)

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