What are the main factors that influence a Software Test Lead's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Software Test Lead's salary?

A Software Test Lead's salary grows with experience: a Test Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $138,872, a Test Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $151,567, a Software Test Lead (10+ years)earns $108,947, a Test Engineering Manager I (10+ years)earns $129,964, a Test Engineering Manager II (10+ years)earns $160,896,

What are the highest paying states for a Software Test Lead?

Software Test Lead salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Software Test Lead roles are District of Columbia $116,981, California $116,537, Massachusetts $114,984. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Software Test Lead roles make?

Salaries for Software Test Lead level roles vary by specialization: Software development engineers in test Lead: $166,343; Lead Software Test Engineer: $151,194; Software Test Manager: $140,012; Lead Software Developer In Test: $135,513; Software Test Specialist: $133,687.

Software Test Lead Salary in Rhode Island

How much does a Software Test Lead make in Rhode Island?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Test Lead in Rhode Island is $109,543 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $125,029
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,261 to $117,649
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,899

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Software Test Lead Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$117,649	$9,804	$2,262	$57
Average	$109,543	$9,129	$2,107	$53
25th Percentile	$99,261	$8,272	$1,909	$48

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Software Test Lead Salaries

A Software Test Lead'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.

How Experience Level Affects Software Test Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Test Lead'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $138,872
Early Career (1-2 years): $151,567
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,947
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $129,964
Expert (over 8 years): $160,896

Levels	Salary
Test Engi... Level Software Test Lead	$138,872
Test Engi... Level Software Test Lead	$151,567
Software ... Level Software Test Lead	$108,947
Test Engi... Level Software Test Lead	$129,964
Test Engi... Level Software Test Lead	$160,896

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software 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 Software Test Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $116,981.
California: $116,537.
Massachusetts: $114,984.

District of Columbia $116,981 California $116,537 Massachusetts $114,984 Washington $114,562 New Jersey $114,519 Alaska $114,372 Connecticut $112,913 New York $112,322

Hawaii $110,431 Rhode Island $109,543 Maryland $108,941 Minnesota $108,117 Colorado $107,800 Illinois $107,694 Oregon $107,293 Delaware $106,997

New Hampshire $106,811 Virginia $106,395 Pennsylvania $105,180 Nevada $104,567 North Dakota $104,366 Michigan $104,049 Wisconsin $103,933 Vermont $103,700

Texas $103,056 Maine $103,014 Arizona $102,950 Ohio $102,876 Georgia $101,904 Indiana $101,418 Wyoming $101,323 Utah $101,175

Iowa $101,112 Kansas $100,605 Louisiana $100,457 North Carolina $100,404 Missouri $100,383 Florida $99,971 Montana $99,749 Nebraska $99,538

Kentucky $99,421 South Carolina $98,999 Tennessee $98,735 Idaho $98,629 New Mexico $97,858 Oklahoma $97,689 Alabama $97,065 South Dakota $96,019

Arkansas $95,449 West Virginia $95,142 Mississippi $94,223

Top Paying Cities for Software 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:

Adamsville: $110,912
Albion: $109,975
Ashaway: $110,702

Adamsville, RI $110,912 Albion, RI $109,975 Ashaway, RI $110,702 Barrington, RI $109,686 Block Island, RI $110,296 Bradford, RI $110,636 Bristol, RI $110,108 Carolina, RI $110,453

Charlestown, RI $110,493 Chepachet, RI $110,273 Clayville, RI $109,966 Coventry, RI $109,971 West Greenwich, RI $110,274 East Greenwich, RI $109,897 Exeter, RI $110,244 Fiskeville, RI $109,684

Forestdale, RI $110,529 Foster, RI $110,215 Glendale, RI $110,537 Greene, RI $110,360 Greenville, RI $109,726 Harmony, RI $109,867 Harrisville, RI $110,490 Hope, RI $109,752

Hope Valley, RI $110,605 Hopkinton, RI $110,751 Jamestown, RI $110,381 Kenyon, RI $110,439 Little Compton, RI $110,895 Manville, RI $110,120 Mapleville, RI $110,294 Newport, RI $110,492

Middletown, RI $110,540 North Kingstown, RI $110,086 North Scituate, RI $109,869 Oakland, RI $110,414 Pascoag, RI $110,563 Pawtucket, RI $109,522 Central Falls, RI $109,571 Cumberland, RI $110,193

Lincoln, RI $109,680 Portsmouth, RI $110,480 Prudence Island, RI $110,253 Rockville, RI $110,734 Saunderstown, RI $110,314 Shannock, RI $110,445 Slatersville, RI $110,530 Slocum, RI $110,311

Tiverton, RI $110,816 Wakefield, RI $110,408 Kingston, RI $110,366 Narragansett, RI $110,439 Peace Dale, RI $110,395 Warren, RI $109,969 Warwick, RI $109,662 Westerly, RI $110,729

West Kingston, RI $110,401 West Warwick, RI $109,797 Wood River Junction, RI $110,558 Woonsocket, RI $110,535 North Smithfield, RI $110,284 Wyoming, RI $110,445 Providence, RI $109,490 Cranston, RI $109,505

North Providence, RI $109,518 East Providence, RI $109,498 Riverside, RI $109,533 Rumford, RI $109,517 Smithfield, RI $109,739 Johnston, RI $109,555

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

Understanding how a Software 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 May 01, 2026

$99,261

Average $109,543/year

$117,649

$8,272

Average $9,129/month

$9,804

$1,909

Average $2,107/week

$2,262

$48

Average $53/hour

$57

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$117,649	$9,804	$2,262	$57
Average	$109,543	$9,129	$2,107	$53
25th Percentile	$99,261	$8,272	$1,909	$48

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