QA Engineer 2 Salary in the United States

How much does a QA Engineer 2 make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA Engineer 2 in the United States is $67,066 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a QA Engineer 2's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,108
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,379 to $72,846
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,381
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View as table View as graph 25% $59,379 10% $52,381 90% $78,108 75% $72,846 $67,066 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

QA Engineer 2 Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,846 $6,071 $1,401 $35
Average $67,066 $5,589 $1,290 $32
25th Percentile $59,379 $4,948 $1,142 $29
Check out QA Engineer 2 Job Openings in the United States
Software QA Engineer

Vantor - COLORADO SPRINGS, CO

QA Test Engineer

Nationwide IT Service, Inc. - ALEXANDRIA, VA

QA Engineer Tester

IPTA - SAN ANTONIO, TX

Test Engineer QA Controller

SAIC - WASHINGTON, DC

Search More QA Engineer 2 Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence QA Engineer 2 Salaries

A QA Engineer 2'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 QA Engineer 2 Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a QA Engineer 2'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): $66,046
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,641
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,661
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $68,341
  • Expert (over 8 years): $68,511
Levels Salary
Entry Level QA Engineer 2$66,046
Intermediate Level QA Engineer 2$66,641
Senior Level QA Engineer 2$67,661
Specialist Level QA Engineer 2$68,341
Expert Level QA Engineer 2$68,511
$66,046 0 yr
$66,641 < 2 yrs
$67,661 2-4 yrs
$68,341 5-8 yrs
$68,511 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for QA Engineer 2s

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: $84,591
  • San Francisco: $83,759
  • Oakland: $81,901

What Skills Can Increase a QA Engineer 2's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.77% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 2.28% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Auditing (Mentioned in 1.55% Job Postings): Auditing refers to the independent examination of financial information of any entity whether profit oriented or not. It is a safeguard measure that prevents corruption.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.77%
SOP 2.28%
Auditing 1.55%
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 Engineer 2's salary.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • SQL: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science
$74,444
11%
Project Management
$73,773
10%
SQL
$73,773
10%
Agile
$71,761
7%
Leadership
$71,090
6%
Initiative
$71,090
6%
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How Education impacts a QA Engineer 2's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA Engineer 2s 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 QA Engineer 2 with a Associate's Degree is between $63,731 and $67,850).

QA Engineer 2 Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for QA Engineer 2
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 19.2%
Associates 13.9%
Bachelors 54.5%
Masters 11.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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QA Engineer 2 Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a QA Engineer 2'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for QA Engineer 2

Salaries for a QA Engineer 2 can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $57,799 in 2023 to around $57,998 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA Engineer 2 salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of QA Engineer 2 Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,799
2024
$58,175
2025
$57,998
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,799
2024 $58,175
2025 $57,998
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for QA Engineer 2

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for QA Engineer 2

Here are companies hiring for QA Engineer 2 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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