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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Quality Assurance Engineer in California is $80,678 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, an Associate Quality Assurance Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Associate Quality Assurance Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $86,369 | $7,197 | $1,661 | $42 |
| Average | $80,678 | $6,723 | $1,551 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,106 | $6,092 | $1,406 | $35 |
Danaher - Sunnyvale, CA
Eliassen Group - San Diego, CA
Pointwest Technologies Corp - Los Angeles, CA
Turion Space - Irvine, CA
An Associate Quality Assurance 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 an Associate Quality Assurance 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 |
|---|---|
| Associate... Level Associate Quality Assurance Engineer | $81,204 |
| Quality A... Level Associate Quality Assurance Engineer | $95,575 |
| Quality A... Level Associate Quality Assurance Engineer | $108,101 |
| Quality A... Level Associate Quality Assurance Engineer | $134,449 |
| Quality A... Level Associate Quality Assurance Engineer | $161,311 |
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 Associate Quality Assurance 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 Associate Quality Assurance 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, Associate Quality Assurance Engineer positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Quality Assurance Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $96,813 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $96,813 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $92,780 | $45.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $88,746 | $43.0 | 10% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $84,712 | $41.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an Associate Quality Assurance 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 | $86,369 | $7,197 | $1,661 | $42 |
| Average | $80,678 | $6,723 | $1,551 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,106 | $6,092 | $1,406 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Quality Assurance Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
System One
Irvine, CA
System One | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Senior Quality Assurance Engineer. Location. Irvine, CA. Type. Contract. Compensation. $65-73/hr. Work Model. ... more
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H1b Lca
San Francisco, CA
H1b Lca | San Francisco, CA
Job Search Search Keyword Location Enter any keyword including company name, job title in the search box.Enter either state code (e.g.CA, IL etc) or enter ... more
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TP-Link Systems Inc.
Irvine, CA
TP-Link Systems Inc. | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Us: . Headquartered in the United States. TP-Link Systems Inc. is a global provider of reliable networking devices ... more
6 Days Ago
Zact Inc.
Sunnyvale, CA
Zact Inc. | Sunnyvale, CA
About the Role We are looking for a motivated Quality Assurance Engineer (QAE) to join our distributed team across the Americas.You will play a critical ro... more
8 Days Ago
Reva Medical LLC
San Diego, CA
Reva Medical LLC | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Quality Assurance Associate – Document Control, Training, and Asset ManagementJob PurposeThe Quality Assurance Associate ... more
6 Days Ago
EMINENT, INC.
Cerritos, CA
EMINENT, INC. | Cerritos, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Meet REVOLVE. REVOLVE is the next-generation fashion retailer for Millennial and Generation Z consumers. As a trusted, pr... more
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