Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester Salary in 2026
How Much Do Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Make?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earn a median annual salary of $102,610 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $60,690 at the 10th percentile to $166,960 at the 90th percentile — a range of $106,270. The highest-paying state is Washington at $128,270.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $60,690 |
| 25th percentile | $79,520 |
| Median (50th) | $102,610 |
| 75th percentile | $131,870 |
| 90th percentile | $166,960 |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $128,270 |
| California | $127,010 |
| Virginia | $123,270 |
| Maryland | $122,310 |
| Colorado | $114,600 |
| New Jersey | $111,790 |
| District of Columbia | $110,130 |
| New Hampshire | $110,020 |
| New York | $108,800 |
| Utah | $107,170 |
| Massachusetts | $106,090 |
| Delaware | $106,020 |
| New Mexico | $105,520 |
| Minnesota | $104,910 |
| Arizona | $103,580 |
| Alaska | $103,160 |
| Oregon | $103,000 |
| North Carolina | $102,660 |
| Texas | $101,800 |
| Connecticut | $101,270 |
| Montana | $100,790 |
| Illinois | $100,300 |
| Hawaii | $99,570 |
| Alabama | $99,520 |
| Michigan | $98,310 |
| Florida | $96,700 |
| Rhode Island | $95,260 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,600 |
| Georgia | $93,500 |
| South Carolina | $93,140 |
| Nevada | $92,150 |
| Nebraska | $90,330 |
| Tennessee | $90,170 |
| Indiana | $88,870 |
| Iowa | $85,550 |
| Ohio | $83,960 |
| Kansas | $83,070 |
| Wisconsin | $81,850 |
| North Dakota | $81,750 |
| Kentucky | $79,390 |
| Maine | $79,040 |
| Vermont | $77,060 |
| Missouri | $76,190 |
| Mississippi | $75,860 |
| Idaho | $72,880 |
| Oklahoma | $68,730 |
| South Dakota | $61,790 |
| West Virginia | $61,420 |
| Louisiana | $50,110 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$60,690 – $79,520 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$102,610 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$131,870 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $166,960+ |
How to Earn More as a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $165,700 — $63,090 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($131,870) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testerthis career | $102,610 |
| Quality Control Systems Manager | $121,440 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Database Administrator | $104,620 |
| Database Architect | $135,980 |
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SOC: 15-1253.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.