How much does a Data Tester make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Data Tester in the United States is $85,203 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,010
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,771 to $95,048
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,094

Key Factors That Influence Data Tester Salaries

A Data Tester'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.

How Experience Level Affects Data Tester Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Data Tester'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): $69,978
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,789
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,724
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $136,164
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,731
Levels Salary
Data Stew... Level Data Tester$69,978
Data Test... Level Data Tester$85,789
Data Stew... Level Data Tester$114,724
Data Stew... Level Data Tester$136,164
Data Cont... Level Data Tester$88,731

How Do Data Tester 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 Data Testers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $94,337.
  • California: $93,979.
  • Massachusetts: $92,727.

Top Paying Cities for Data Testers

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: $107,467
  • San Francisco: $106,290
  • Oakland: $104,050

What Skills Can Increase a Data Tester's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.52% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Change Management (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Change management (sometimes abbreviated as CM) is a collective term for all approaches to prepare , support and help individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational change. The most common change drivers include: technological evolution, process reviews, crisis, and consumer habit changes; pressure from new business entrants, acquisitions, mergers, and organizational restructuring. It includes methods that redirect or redefine the use of resources, business process, budget allocations, or other modes of operation that significantly change a company or organization. Organizational change management (OCM) considers the full organization and what needs to change, while change management may be used solely to refer to how people and teams are affected by such organizational transition. It deals with many different disciplines, from behavioral and social sciences to information technology and business solutions.
  • Data Security (Mentioned in 1.06% Job Postings): Protecting our organization's data and digital information from unauthorized access, theft, and cyberattacks.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.52%
Change Management 1.5%
Data Security 1.06%

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 Data Tester's salary.

  • Data Modeling: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Tableau: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Modeling $100,540
18%
Tableau $97,984
15%
Agile $97,132
14%

Data Tester Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Data Tester roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Data Tester positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Data Tester as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Data Tester

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$103,948$50.022%
Energy & Utilities$100,540$48.018%
Healthcare$97,984$47.015%
Biotechnology$95,428$46.012%
Financial Services$93,724$45.010%

Data Tester Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Data Tester'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 September 01, 2026
$76,771
Average $85,203/year
$95,048
$6,398
Average $7,100/month
$7,921
$1,476
Average $1,639/week
$1,828
$37
Average $41/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,048 $7,921 $1,828 $46
Average $85,203 $7,100 $1,639 $41
25th Percentile $76,771 $6,398 $1,476 $37

Most common benefits for Data Tester

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Data Tester

Here are companies hiring for Data Tester and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Data Tester

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Data Tester?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Data Tester roles, with salaries approximately 22% 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.)

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