As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Engineering Specialist in the United States is $131,630 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Quality Engineering Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Quality Engineering Specialist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Engineering Specialist'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 |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Quality Engineering Specialist | $84,025 |
| Software ... Level Quality Engineering Specialist | $108,132 |
| Quality E... Level Quality Engineering Specialist | $132,424 |
| Software ... Level Quality Engineering Specialist | $153,210 |
| Software ... Level Quality Engineering Specialist | $176,124 |
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 Quality Engineering Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.68% |
| Software Development | 4.7% |
| Software Engineering | 2.8% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Open Source
|
$136,895 |
4%
|
|
Container
|
$135,579 |
3%
|
|
Innovation
|
$135,579 |
3%
|
|
Kubernetes
|
$135,579 |
3%
|
|
Python
|
$134,263 |
2%
|
|
AWS
|
$134,263 |
2%
|
For Quality Engineering Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 27% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 14% above the average. In contrast, Quality Engineering Specialist positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Engineering Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $150,058 | $72.0 | 14% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $147,426 | $71.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $146,109 | $70.0 | 11% |
| Biotechnology | $144,793 | $70.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $143,477 | $69.0 | 9% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Engineering Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Quality Engineering Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,135 and $128,293).
Quality Engineering Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 2.0% |
| Associates | 1.4% |
| Bachelors | 46.1% |
| Masters | 44.2% |
| Doctorate | 6.0% |
Understanding how a Quality Engineering Specialist'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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a Quality Engineering Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $130,651 in 2023 to around $129,366 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Quality Engineering Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $130,651 |
| 2024 | $130,910 |
| 2025 | $129,366 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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