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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Specialist in California is $114,188 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.
However, a Quality Assurance Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Quality Assurance Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $123,524 | $10,294 | $2,375 | $59 |
| Average | $114,188 | $9,516 | $2,196 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,648 | $8,637 | $1,993 | $50 |
AVUM INC - Malibu, CA
Forma Life Sciences - Irvine, CA
Skylimit Systems - Simi Valley, CA
DenMat Holdings, LLC - Lompoc, CA
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 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 | $77,145 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $93,778 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $113,502 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $141,606 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Assurance Specialist | $171,390 |
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:
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 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 | $125,607 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $125,607 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $125,607 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $125,607 | $60.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $125,607 | $60.0 | 10% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $123,524 | $10,294 | $2,375 | $59 |
| Average | $114,188 | $9,516 | $2,196 | $55 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,648 | $8,637 | $1,993 | $50 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Quality Assurance Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Reva Medical LLC
San Diego, CA
Reva Medical LLC | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Quality Assurance SpecialistJob PurposeThe Quality Assurance Specialist is an experienced individual contributor who inde... more
4 Days Ago
SummitHR
Los Angeles, CA
SummitHR | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Key responsibilities includeAssisting with compliance tracking, field observations, and documentation while also supporti... more
4 Days Ago
Clinica Romero
Los Angeles, CA
Clinica Romero | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Title. Quality Assurance Specialist. Reports To. Substance Use Disorder Program Director. Status more
5 Days Ago
Prescott's, Inc
Costa Mesa, CA
Prescott's, Inc | Costa Mesa, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Join the team at Prescott’s, Inc. — where quality meets care. Prescott’s is a leading medical device services company, tr... more
5 Days Ago
J & K Manufacturing
Paramount, CA
J & K Manufacturing | Paramount, CA
Job Description. Job Description. J & K Manufacturing Inc. is a family-owned aerospace company using state of the art equipment to produce high precision m... more
5 Days Ago
BioPhase Solutions
Orange County, CA
BioPhase Solutions | Orange County, CA
Job Description. Job Description. BioPhase Solutions. specializes in recruiting top talented professionals for Southern California's Scientific community. ... more
6 Days Ago
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