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QA Test Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a QA Test Lead make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA Test Lead in the United States is $72,072 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,872
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,511 to $79,295
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,628
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence QA Test Lead Salaries

A QA Test Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do QA Test 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 Test Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $79,798.
  • California: $79,495.
  • Massachusetts: $78,436.

Top Paying Cities for QA Test 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: $90,904
  • San Francisco: $89,909
  • Oakland: $88,014

What Skills Can Increase a QA Test Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Test Automation (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): Leveraging automation tools to maintain test data, execute tests, and analyze test results to improve software quality.
  • Technical Support (Mentioned in 2.82% Job Postings): Offering hands-on assistance and solutions to end-users in addressing and troubleshooting technical issues.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.6%
Test Automation 3.6%
Technical Support 2.82%
See More Skills

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 Test Lead's salary.

  • Employment Authorization: Can increase your salary by up to 54%.
  • Test Automation: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Continuous Integration: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employment Authorization $110,991
54%
Test Automation $87,928
22%
Continuous Integration $84,324
17%
Get Latest Data

QA Test Lead Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For QA Test Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 72% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 29% above the average. In contrast, QA Test Lead positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA Test Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a QA Test Lead

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$92,973$45.029%
Financial Services$86,486$42.020%
Energy & Utilities$82,883$40.015%
Biotechnology$80,721$39.012%
Pharmaceuticals$80,000$38.011%

How Education impacts a QA Test Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA Test Leads 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 Test Lead with a Associate's Degree is between $68,511 and $73,498).

QA Test Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for QA Test Lead
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 23.1%
High School 23.1%
Associates 52.6%
Bachelors 23.1%
Masters 1.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

QA Test Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a QA Test 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 September 01, 2026
$64,511
Average $72,072/year
$79,295
$5,376
Average $6,006/month
$6,608
$1,241
Average $1,386/week
$1,525
$31
Average $35/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,295 $6,608 $1,525 $38
Average $72,072 $6,006 $1,386 $35
25th Percentile $64,511 $5,376 $1,241 $31

Most common benefits for QA Test Lead

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for QA Test Lead

Here are companies hiring for QA Test Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about QA Test Lead

1. What industry pays the highest salary for QA Test Lead?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for QA Test Lead roles, with salaries approximately 29% above the market median.

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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