Software Testing Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Software Testing Specialist make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Software Testing Specialist in the United States is $94,508 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,866
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,936 to $98,883
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,772
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View as table View as graph 25% $89,936 10% $85,772 90% $102,866 75% $98,883 $94,508 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Software Testing Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $98,883 $8,240 $1,902 $48
Average $94,508 $7,876 $1,817 $45
25th Percentile $89,936 $7,495 $1,730 $43
Check out Software Testing Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Software Support Specialist

LCS - London Computer Systems - Cincinnati, OH

Software Support Specialist

LCS - London Computer Systems - Cincinnati, OH

IT&amp Software Support Specialist

The Davey Tree Expert Company - Kent, OH

Collections Specialist

Eurofins USA Environment Testing - Barberton, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Software Testing Specialist Salaries

A Software Testing 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.

How Experience Level Affects Software Testing Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Software Testing 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $84,340
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $94,187
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,512
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,818
  • Expert (over 8 years): $161,969
Levels Salary
Storage M... Level Software Testing Specialist$84,340
Software ... Level Software Testing Specialist$94,187
Storage M... Level Software Testing Specialist$119,512
Storage M... Level Software Testing Specialist$138,818
Storage M... Level Software Testing Specialist$161,969
$84,340 0 yr
$94,187 < 2 yrs
$119,512 2-4 yrs
$138,818 5-8 yrs
$161,969 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Software Testing Specialist 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 Testing Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $104,640.
  • California: $104,243.
  • Massachusetts: $102,853.

Top Paying Cities for Software Testing Specialists

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: $119,203
  • San Francisco: $117,898
  • Oakland: $115,414

What Skills Can Increase a Software Testing Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Networking (Mentioned in 11.21% Job Postings): Ability to maintain, build and expand a personal and business contact list to grow one's career and business opportunities.
  • Security Systems (Mentioned in 4.67% Job Postings): Security and protection system, any of various means or devices designed to guard persons and property against a broad range of hazards, including crime, fire, accidents, espionage, sabotage, subversion, and attack.
  • Agile (Mentioned in 0.93% Job Postings): Agile is a development process where feedback is continuously gathered from users to create the best user experience.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Networking 11.21%
Security Systems 4.67%
Agile 0.93%
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 Testing Specialist's salary.
  • Data Center Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Digital Transformation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Security Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Center Operations
$103,959
10%
Digital Transformation
$102,069
8%
Security Systems
$101,124
7%
Interviewing
$100,179
6%
Work Under Pressure
$100,179
6%
Virtualization
$98,289
4%
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Software Testing Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Software Testing 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.

Last Updated on June 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Software Testing Specialist

Salaries for a Software Testing Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $87,517 in 2023 to around $85,438 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Software Testing Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Software Testing Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$87,517
2024
$85,994
2025
$85,438
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $87,517
2024 $85,994
2025 $85,438
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Software Testing Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Software Testing Specialist

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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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