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Software Test Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Test Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Test Manager in the United States is $140,003 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,731
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $128,449 to $150,853
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $117,930
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Software Test Manager Salaries

A Software Test Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Test Manager'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): $178,701
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $121,967
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $139,205
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $168,227
  • Expert (over 8 years): $193,406
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Software Test Manager$178,701
Software ... Level Software Test Manager$121,967
Software ... Level Software Test Manager$139,205
Software ... Level Software Test Manager$168,227
Software ... Level Software Test Manager$193,406
View as Graph

How Do Software Test Manager 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,011.
  • California: $154,423.
  • Massachusetts: $152,365.

Top Paying Cities for Software Test Managers

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:

  • San Jose: $176,586
  • San Francisco: $174,652
  • Oakland: $170,972

What Skills Can Increase a Software Test Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.87% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.58% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.87%
Packaging 2.07%
Microsoft Office 1.58%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Software Test Manager's salary.

  • Data Warehouse: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Warehouse $154,003
10%
Influencing $147,003
5%
Computer Science $145,603
4%
Get Latest Data

Software Test Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Software Test Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Software Test Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Software Test Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Software Test Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$168,004$81.020%
Business Services$168,004$81.020%
Construction$168,004$81.020%
Energy & Utilities$168,004$81.020%
Healthcare$168,004$81.020%

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

Understanding how a Software Test Manager'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 October 01, 2026
$128,449
Average $140,003/year
$150,853
$10,704
Average $11,667/month
$12,571
$2,470
Average $2,692/week
$2,901
$62
Average $67/hour
$73
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $150,853 $12,571 $2,901 $73
Average $140,003 $11,667 $2,692 $67
25th Percentile $128,449 $10,704 $2,470 $62

Most common benefits for Software Test Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Software Test Manager

Here are companies hiring for Software Test Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Software Test Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Software Test Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Software Test Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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