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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Senior Qa Engineer in California is $140,066 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.
However, a Senior Qa Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Senior Qa Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $147,934 | $12,328 | $2,845 | $71 |
| Average | $140,066 | $11,672 | $2,694 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,291 | $10,691 | $2,467 | $62 |
Impact.com - Santa Barbara, CA
Prenuvo - San Francisco, CA
SK hynix memory solutions America Inc. - San Jose, CA
Fieldmaterials - San Francisco, CA
A Senior Qa 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 Senior Qa 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 A... Level Senior Qa Engineer | $100,141 |
| Quality A... Level Senior Qa Engineer | $113,265 |
| Senior Qa... Level Senior Qa Engineer | $140,883 |
| Quality A... Level Senior Qa Engineer | $169,025 |
| Quality A... Level Senior Qa Engineer | $126,607 |
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 Senior Qa 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 Senior Qa Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Senior Qa Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Senior Qa Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $196,092 | $94.0 | 40% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $182,085 | $88.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $182,085 | $88.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $168,079 | $81.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $168,079 | $81.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Senior Qa 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 | $147,934 | $12,328 | $2,845 | $71 |
| Average | $140,066 | $11,672 | $2,694 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $128,291 | $10,691 | $2,467 | $62 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Senior Qa Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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California City, CA
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