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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Test Engineer in California is $78,057 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Quality Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Quality Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $83,296 | $6,941 | $1,602 | $40 |
| Average | $78,057 | $6,505 | $1,501 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,063 | $6,005 | $1,386 | $35 |
Elroy Air - Byron, CA
Rantec Power Systems Inc. - Los Osos, CA
IESE Solutions - El Segundo, CA
Peak Energy - Sacramento, CA
A Quality 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Quality 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Quality T... Level Quality Test Engineer | $78,474 |
| Test Engi... Level Quality Test Engineer | $88,258 |
| Test Engi... Level Quality Test Engineer | $123,775 |
| Test Engi... Level Quality Test Engineer | $149,387 |
| Test Engi... Level Quality Test Engineer | $162,964 |
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 Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Quality 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, Quality Test Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $97,572 | $47.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $93,669 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $93,669 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $93,669 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $93,669 | $45.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Quality 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $83,296 | $6,941 | $1,602 | $40 |
| Average | $78,057 | $6,505 | $1,501 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,063 | $6,005 | $1,386 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Quality Test Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
PTI Technologies
Oxnard, CA
PTI Technologies | Oxnard, CA
Job Description. Job Description. SUMMARYTest Engineer will perform testing related to development or production of new products and/or modifications to ex... more
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San Jose, CA
Foxconn Industrial Internet - FII | San Jose, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title: Test Engineer (EPD II). Ingrasys Technology USA, Inc. San Jose, CA & Sunnyvale, CA. What to Expect. This posit... more
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Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc.
San Luis Obispo, CA
Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. | San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Test Engineer. Job Summary. ESAero is seeking a self-motivated Test Engineer to join our team in San Luis Obispo, CA. The... more
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Elve Inc
Davis, CA
Elve Inc | Davis, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Who is Elve. Elve, Inc is a deep-tech startup in Davis, CA whose patent-pending technology enables 100x faster wireless i... more
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Coreshell Technologies
San Leandro, CA
Coreshell Technologies | San Leandro, CA
Job Description. Job Description. . Coreshell's metallurgical Silicon anode technology delivers high capacity, fast-charging, and superior safety. Our low-... more
3 Days Ago
Peak Energy
Burlingame, CA
Peak Energy | Burlingame, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Test Engineer, ESS. Location. Burlingame, CA. Department. Engineering. Reports To. Senior Manager, Test Engine... more
4 Days Ago
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