As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Specialist in the United States is $103,525 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Quality Assurance Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Quality Assurance 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 Assurance 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 |
|---|---|
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $69,941 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $85,021 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $102,903 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $128,382 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $155,385 |
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 Assurance Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 4.19% |
| Packaging | 2.11% |
| Product Quality | 1.46% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Process Improvement
|
$107,666 |
4%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$107,666 |
4%
|
|
Project Management
|
$107,666 |
4%
|
|
Quality Management
|
$107,666 |
4%
|
|
Leadership
|
$107,666 |
4%
|
|
Change Control
|
$107,666 |
4%
|
For Quality Assurance Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Quality Assurance Specialist positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Assurance Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $113,878 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $113,878 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $113,878 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $113,878 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $113,878 | $55.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Assurance 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 Assurance Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $100,752 and $105,909).
Quality Assurance Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 12.9% |
| High School | 12.9% |
| Associates | 5.3% |
| Bachelors | 57.6% |
| Masters | 23.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.6% |
Understanding how a Quality Assurance 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 August 01, 2026Salaries for a Quality Assurance Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $89,801 in 2023 to around $89,573 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Quality Assurance Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $89,801 |
| 2024 | $90,214 |
| 2025 | $89,573 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Assurance Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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.)
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