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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Test Engineer in North Carolina is $68,375 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Software Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Software Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $73,275 | $6,106 | $1,409 | $35 |
| Average | $68,375 | $5,698 | $1,315 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,614 | $5,301 | $1,223 | $31 |
Eliassen Group - Durham, NC
Vadum Inc - Raleigh, NC
CoVar - Durham, NC
Atlantic Talent Recruitment - Charlotte, NC
A Software Test 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 Test 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 |
|---|---|
| Software ... Level Software Test Engineer | $68,015 |
| Test Engi... Level Software Test Engineer | $76,495 |
| Test Engi... Level Software Test Engineer | $107,279 |
| Test Engi... Level Software Test Engineer | $129,478 |
| Test Engi... Level Software Test Engineer | $141,246 |
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 Test 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 Test Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Software Test Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $85,469 | $41.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $82,050 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $82,050 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $82,050 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $82,050 | $39.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Software Test 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 | $73,275 | $6,106 | $1,409 | $35 |
| Average | $68,375 | $5,698 | $1,315 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,614 | $5,301 | $1,223 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Software Test Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Redwood Dental
Raleigh, NC
Redwood Dental | Raleigh, NC
Required Technical Skills 1-3 years of relevant QA technical experience Contribute as an individual during test design, test planning and test execution Ex... more
7 Days Ago
Vadum Inc.
Raleigh, NC
Vadum Inc. | Raleigh, NC
Full-time Description About Vadum Since 2004, Vadum has built a reputation for practical innovation, delivering advanced technology solutions to customers ... more
7 Days Ago
Belk
Charlotte, NC
Belk | Charlotte, NC
The Software Engineer writes and maintains code within applications and systems to implement capabilities and features, improve performance and maintainabi... more
7 Days Ago
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
Charlotte, NC
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | Charlotte, NC
Job brief Quest Diagnostics is looking for a Software Engineer to create well-designed, effective, testable, and specification-compliant code and carry out... more
8 Days Ago
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
Raleigh, NC
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | Raleigh, NC
Job brief Quest Diagnostics is looking for a Software Engineer to create well-designed, effective, testable, and specification-compliant code and carry out... more
8 Days Ago
Upswing
Durham, NC
Upswing | Durham, NC
Upswing is a mission-driven company that partners with colleges and universities to improve nontraditional student outcomes.Over 28% of students using Upsw... more
3 Days Ago
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