Junior Software Test Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Junior Software Test Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Software Test Engineer in the United States is $70,049 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,034
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,671 to $74,752
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,775

Key Factors That Influence Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries

A Junior Software Test 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior Software Test 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $70,422
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,198
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,083
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $134,072
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,234
Levels Salary
Junior So... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$70,422
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$79,198
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$111,083
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$134,072
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$146,234

How Do Junior Software Test Engineer 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 Junior Software Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,558.
  • California: $77,264.
  • Massachusetts: $76,234.

Top Paying Cities for Junior Software Test Engineers

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: $88,353
  • San Francisco: $87,385
  • Oakland: $85,544

What Skills Can Increase a Junior Software Test Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.88% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Java (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Using Java in the development and maintenance of application programs and systems.
  • Automated Testing (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Test automation is the use of software to control the execution of tests and the comparison of predicted to actual outcomes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.88%
Java 3.23%
Automated Testing 2.07%

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 Junior Software Test Engineer's salary.

  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Jenkins: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AWS $74,952
7%
Python $73,551
5%
Jenkins $72,851
4%

Junior Software Test Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Junior Software Test Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Junior Software Test Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Junior Software Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Junior Software Test Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$87,561$42.025%
Biotechnology$84,059$40.020%
Internet$84,059$40.020%
Pharmaceuticals$84,059$40.020%
Software & Networking$84,059$40.020%

How Education impacts a Junior Software Test Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Software Test Engineers 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 Junior Software Test Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $72,482 and $75,542).

Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior Software Test Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 5.9%
Associates 7.3%
Bachelors 64.9%
Masters 20.5%
Doctorate 1.0%

Junior Software Test Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Junior Software Test 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$64,671
Average $70,049/year
$74,752
$5,389
Average $5,837/month
$6,229
$1,244
Average $1,347/week
$1,438
$31
Average $34/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $74,752 $6,229 $1,438 $36
Average $70,049 $5,837 $1,347 $34
25th Percentile $64,671 $5,389 $1,244 $31

Most common benefits for Junior Software Test Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Junior Software Test Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Junior Software Test Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Junior Software Test Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Junior Software Test Engineer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Junior Software Test Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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