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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software QA Engineer in South Dakota is $93,519 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, a Software QA Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software QA Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $101,627 | $8,469 | $1,954 | $49 |
| Average | $93,519 | $7,793 | $1,798 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,557 | $7,213 | $1,665 | $42 |
Omnitech, Inc. - Rapid City, SD
TradeJobsWorkForce - Arlington, SD
Central Payments - Sioux Falls, SD
Puck Enterprises - Worthing, SD
A Software 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 Software 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 Software QA Engineer | $69,802 |
| Quality A... Level Software QA Engineer | $82,156 |
| Software ... Level Software QA Engineer | $92,923 |
| Quality A... Level Software QA Engineer | $115,572 |
| Quality A... Level Software QA Engineer | $138,662 |
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 Software 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 Software QA Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Software QA Engineer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software QA Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $140,279 | $67.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a Software 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 | $101,627 | $8,469 | $1,954 | $49 |
| Average | $93,519 | $7,793 | $1,798 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $86,557 | $7,213 | $1,665 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software QA Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Puck Enterprises
Worthing, SD
Puck Enterprises | Worthing, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Embedded Software Engineer. Puck | Built to Lead. Location. Worthing, SD. Department. Engineering. Employment Type. Full-... more
5 Days Ago
Chameleon Integrated Services
Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD
Chameleon Integrated Services | Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD
Job Description. Job Description. We are a growing information technology company that offers its employees a culture of success, the chance to work on rev... more
5 Days Ago
Puck Enterprises
Worthing, SD
Puck Enterprises | Worthing, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Cloud Software Engineer. Puck | Built to Lead. Location. Worthing, SD. Department. Engineering. Employment Type. Full-Tim more
5 Days Ago
Wolters Kluwer
Pierre, SD
Wolters Kluwer | Pierre, SD
Key Responsibilities. Build AI Agent Systems: Design and implement task-focused AI agents that assist thousands of professional’s audit work. Building Docu... more
5 Days Ago
Puck Enterprises
Worthing, SD
Puck Enterprises | Worthing, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Software Engineer, Cloud Platforms. Puck | Built to Lead. Location. Worthing, SD. Department. Engineering. Employm... more
5 Days Ago
TekSynap
Capital Township, SD
TekSynap | Capital Township, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Overview. WORK ENVIRONMENT. This position requires close coordination with Government stakeholders, program leadership, s... more
2 Days Ago
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