Qa Automation Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Qa Automation Lead make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Qa Automation Lead in the United States is $140,395 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, a Qa Automation Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,061
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,508 to $150,689
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,775
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View as table View as graph 25% $127,508 10% $115,775 90% $160,061 75% $150,689 $140,395 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Qa Automation Lead Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $150,689 $12,557 $2,898 $72
Average $140,395 $11,700 $2,700 $67
25th Percentile $127,508 $10,626 $2,452 $61
Check out Qa Automation Lead Job Openings in the United States
Automation Project Manager

Ferguson - Cincinnati, OH, OH

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ACL Digital - New Albany, OH

Automation Engineer

iRiS Recruiting Solutions - Columbus, OH

Automation Engineer

Hikma Pharmaceuticals - Bedford, OH

Search More Qa Automation Lead Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Qa Automation Lead Salaries

A Qa Automation Lead'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 Qa Automation Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Qa Automation Lead'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): $181,293
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $123,803
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $141,290
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $170,748
  • Expert (over 8 years): $196,269
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Qa Automation Lead$181,293
Software ... Level Qa Automation Lead$123,803
Qa Automa... Level Qa Automation Lead$141,290
Software ... Level Qa Automation Lead$170,748
Software ... Level Qa Automation Lead$196,269
$181,293 0 yr
$123,803 < 2 yrs
$141,290 2-4 yrs
$170,748 5-8 yrs
$196,269 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Qa Automation Lead 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 Qa Automation Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $155,445.
  • California: $154,856.
  • Massachusetts: $152,792.

Top Paying Cities for Qa Automation Leads

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: $177,080
  • San Francisco: $175,141
  • Oakland: $171,450

What Skills Can Increase a Qa Automation Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.87% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.87%
Packaging 2.07%
Microsoft Office 1.58%
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 Qa Automation Lead's salary.
  • Data Warehouse: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Warehouse
$154,435
10%
Influencing
$147,415
5%
Computer Science
$146,011
4%
Team Management
$146,011
4%
Scrum
$146,011
4%
Continuous Improvement
$144,607
3%
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Qa Automation Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Qa Automation Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Qa Automation Lead positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Qa Automation Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Qa Automation Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$168,474$81.020%
Business Services$168,474$81.020%
Construction$168,474$81.020%
Energy & Utilities$168,474$81.020%
Healthcare$168,474$81.020%

Qa Automation Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Qa Automation Lead'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 June 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Qa Automation Lead

Salaries for a Qa Automation Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $135,263 in 2023 to around $133,612 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Qa Automation Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Qa Automation Lead Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$135,263
2024
$134,417
2025
$133,612
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $135,263
2024 $134,417
2025 $133,612
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Qa Automation Lead

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Qa Automation Lead

Here are companies hiring for Qa Automation Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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