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Lead Software Testing Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Software Testing Engineer make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Software Testing Engineer in the United States is $94,639 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $114,043
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,793 to $104,796
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,739
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Software Testing Engineer Salaries

A Lead Software Testing 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 Lead Software Testing Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Software Testing 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): $92,551
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,796
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $96,076
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $100,683
  • Expert (over 8 years): $101,012
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lead Software Testing Engineer$92,551
Intermediate Level Lead Software Testing Engineer$92,796
Senior Level Lead Software Testing Engineer$96,076
Specialist Level Lead Software Testing Engineer$100,683
Expert Level Lead Software Testing Engineer$101,012
View as Graph

How Do Lead Software Testing 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 Lead Software Testing Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $104,785.
  • California: $104,387.
  • Massachusetts: $102,996.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Software Testing 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: $119,369
  • San Francisco: $118,062
  • Oakland: $115,574

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Software Testing Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.88% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Anesthesia (Mentioned in 3.92% Job Postings): Administering and controlling sedations and narcotics to help patients relieve pain during various surgeries and treatments.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.88%
Anesthesia 3.92%
CPR 2.11%
See More Skills

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 Lead Software Testing Engineer's salary.

  • Employee Engagement: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employee Engagement $101,264
7%
Risk Management $100,318
6%
Verbal Communication $100,318
6%
Get Latest Data

Lead Software Testing Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Software Testing Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Lead Software Testing Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Lead Software Testing Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Lead Software Testing Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$113,567$55.020%

How Education impacts a Lead Software Testing Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Software Testing 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 Lead Software Testing Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $93,081 and $98,871).

Lead Software Testing Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Software Testing Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 0.8%
Associates 46.1%
Bachelors 47.7%
Masters 4.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Lead Software Testing Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Software Testing 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 October 01, 2026
$85,793
Average $94,639/year
$104,796
$7,149
Average $7,887/month
$8,733
$1,650
Average $1,820/week
$2,015
$41
Average $45/hour
$50
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $104,796 $8,733 $2,015 $50
Average $94,639 $7,887 $1,820 $45
25th Percentile $85,793 $7,149 $1,650 $41

Most common benefits for Lead Software Testing Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Lead Software Testing Engineer

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

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FAQ about Lead Software Testing Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Software Testing Engineer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Software Testing Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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