QA tester salary
BLS occupation: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers · Computers and math · data for May 2025
Median salary $104,300 a year, US
Median hourly pay $50.14 an hour
Middle half earn $80,310–$133,180 25th to 75th percentile
QA testers employed 186,740 +5.7% projected by 2035
How much does a QA tester make?
- The median QA tester salary in the US is $104,300 a year ($50.14 an hour): half of the 186,740 QA testers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $111,490.
- The middle half earn between $80,310 and $133,180. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $61,440 and the top 10% more than $167,010.
- That is 2.0 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays QA testers the most (median $128,740), followed by Washington ($128,480) and Colorado ($123,690). West Virginia pays the least ($62,300).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in New Mexico, where the median is worth $126,426 in typical US prices, then Virginia and Washington. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 199 of the 210 metro areas with data, the median QA tester salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of QA testers to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 10,700 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what QA testers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
QA tester salary range
Half of QA testers earn between $80,310 and $133,180 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $61,440
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $80,310
Median Yearly pay: $104,300
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $133,180
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $167,010
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $61,440 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $80,310 |
| Median | $104,300 |
| Top 25% earn over | $133,180 |
| Top 10% earn over | $167,010 |
QA tester salary by state
California pays QA testers the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($104,300), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $128,740 median |
| Washington | $128,480 median |
| Colorado | $123,690 median |
| Massachusetts | $122,210 median |
| Virginia | $121,590 median |
| New York | $121,240 median |
| New Jersey | $119,470 median |
| New Mexico | $116,580 median |
| Maryland | $111,100 median |
| Oregon | $108,440 median |
| New Hampshire | $107,100 median |
| Delaware | $106,060 median |
| Illinois | $104,910 median |
| Montana | $103,930 median |
| District of Columbia | $103,340 median |
| Georgia | $103,040 median |
| Hawaii | $102,930 median |
| Texas | $101,850 median |
| Rhode Island | $101,790 median |
| Minnesota | $101,700 median |
| Alabama | $101,500 median |
| Arizona | $100,650 median |
| North Carolina | $100,390 median |
| Florida | $100,210 median |
| Michigan | $98,720 median |
| Nebraska | $98,010 median |
| Ohio | $98,000 median |
| Connecticut | $97,740 median |
| South Carolina | $97,500 median |
| Kansas | $94,490 median |
| Pennsylvania | $93,030 median |
| Tennessee | $91,040 median |
| Wisconsin | $89,400 median |
| Iowa | $88,590 median |
| Indiana | $87,020 median |
| Maine | $86,050 median |
| Missouri | $85,530 median |
| North Dakota | $83,920 median |
| Utah | $82,100 median |
| Mississippi | $79,890 median |
| Kentucky | $79,100 median |
| Oklahoma | $77,700 median |
| Vermont | $76,580 median |
| South Dakota | $68,120 median |
| Louisiana | $66,810 median |
| West Virginia | $62,300 median |
Where QA tester pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
QA testers' pay goes furthest in New Mexico once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $126,426 |
| Virginia | $120,262 |
| Washington | $120,060 |
| Colorado | $120,027 |
| California | $116,275 |
| Massachusetts | $115,557 |
| Alabama | $114,272 |
| New York | $112,341 |
| Montana | $109,810 |
| New Jersey | $109,802 |
QA tester pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $128,740 | $61.89 | $65,890 | $201,070 | 27,710 | $116,275 |
| Washington | $128,480 | $61.77 | $74,180 | $202,730 | 7,970 | $120,060 |
| Colorado | $123,690 | $59.47 | $79,780 | $172,930 | 5,110 | $120,027 |
| Massachusetts | $122,210 | $58.75 | $68,050 | $168,000 | 6,640 | $115,557 |
| Virginia | $121,590 | $58.46 | $78,820 | $169,200 | 10,160 | $120,262 |
| New York | $121,240 | $58.29 | $58,180 | $182,910 | 10,460 | $112,341 |
| New Jersey | $119,470 | $57.44 | $70,150 | $168,680 | 6,550 | $109,802 |
| New Mexico | $116,580 | $56.05 | $77,760 | $160,430 | 450 | $126,426 |
| Maryland | $111,100 | $53.41 | $77,270 | $171,810 | 5,880 | $105,851 |
| Oregon | $108,440 | $52.13 | $57,640 | $184,060 | 1,840 | $104,914 |
| New Hampshire | $107,100 | $51.49 | $56,190 | $160,190 | 770 | $102,818 |
| Delaware | $106,060 | $50.99 | $76,750 | $143,880 | 520 | $106,264 |
| Illinois | $104,910 | $50.44 | $65,480 | $150,620 | 6,530 | $104,954 |
| Montana | $103,930 | $49.97 | $50,380 | $170,620 | 150 | $109,810 |
| District of Columbia | $103,340 | $49.68 | $65,210 | $144,820 | 760 | $94,030 |
| Georgia | $103,040 | $49.54 | $68,130 | $141,760 | 7,110 | $107,007 |
| Hawaii | $102,930 | $49.49 | $76,370 | $130,860 | – | $93,614 |
| Texas | $101,850 | $48.97 | $59,010 | $153,380 | 19,590 | $104,938 |
| Rhode Island | $101,790 | $48.94 | $80,220 | $136,590 | 400 | $99,521 |
| Minnesota | $101,700 | $48.89 | $66,090 | $137,310 | 2,630 | $103,122 |
| Alabama | $101,500 | $48.80 | $62,670 | $162,600 | 1,760 | $114,272 |
| Arizona | $100,650 | $48.39 | $63,920 | $143,000 | 3,890 | $99,973 |
| North Carolina | $100,390 | $48.26 | $61,190 | $148,710 | 8,890 | $106,429 |
| Florida | $100,210 | $48.18 | $57,970 | $150,620 | 10,320 | $96,902 |
| Michigan | $98,720 | $47.46 | $52,460 | $135,830 | 3,480 | $102,601 |
| Nebraska | $98,010 | $47.12 | $64,750 | $131,490 | 1,240 | $108,776 |
| Ohio | $98,000 | $47.12 | $60,340 | $130,100 | 4,400 | $105,633 |
| Connecticut | $97,740 | $46.99 | $46,080 | $153,990 | 1,160 | $94,335 |
| South Carolina | $97,500 | $46.88 | $50,070 | $135,390 | 1,740 | $104,001 |
| Kansas | $94,490 | $45.43 | $57,050 | $133,590 | 1,140 | $104,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,030 | $44.73 | $58,970 | $133,120 | 4,530 | $95,345 |
| Tennessee | $91,040 | $43.77 | $61,580 | $125,760 | 1,530 | $99,097 |
| Wisconsin | $89,400 | $42.98 | $62,460 | $161,500 | 3,800 | $95,010 |
| Iowa | $88,590 | $42.59 | $55,640 | $126,290 | 1,000 | $100,943 |
| Indiana | $87,020 | $41.84 | $56,900 | $130,970 | 1,610 | $93,240 |
| Maine | $86,050 | $41.37 | $45,730 | $123,360 | 390 | $88,666 |
| Missouri | $85,530 | $41.12 | $55,030 | $141,350 | 2,930 | $94,178 |
| North Dakota | $83,920 | $40.35 | $63,060 | $106,000 | 200 | $94,336 |
| Utah | $82,100 | $39.47 | $45,960 | $134,940 | 2,600 | $83,043 |
| Mississippi | $79,890 | $38.41 | $45,770 | $126,740 | 350 | $91,877 |
| Kentucky | $79,100 | $38.03 | $44,290 | $128,340 | 890 | $87,734 |
| Oklahoma | $77,700 | $37.36 | $46,950 | $121,970 | 1,620 | $88,453 |
| Vermont | $76,580 | $36.82 | $60,480 | $144,890 | 170 | $78,176 |
| South Dakota | $68,120 | $32.75 | $47,670 | $104,840 | 220 | $76,897 |
| Louisiana | $66,810 | $32.12 | $36,890 | $115,330 | 450 | $75,742 |
| West Virginia | $62,300 | $29.95 | $37,050 | $127,210 | 390 | $69,611 |
BLS does not publish pay for QA testers in 5 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
QA tester salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes QA tester pay: 213 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $166,530
- Lexington Park, MD $147,520
- Boulder, CO $136,410
- San Francisco, CA $134,630
- Greeley, CO $134,350
- Santa Cruz, CA $133,970
- Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $130,710
- New York, NY $130,540
- Baltimore, MD $129,880
- Seattle, WA $129,690
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $150,811
- Lexington Park, MD $146,407
- Greeley, CO $134,114
- Rochester, MN $132,822
- Boulder, CO $129,665
- Kennewick, WA $128,758
- Crestview, FL $127,835
- Colorado Springs, CO $127,618
- Durham, NC $126,040
- Bozeman, MT $124,466
All 213 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $166,530 | 6,480 | $150,811 | 27% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $147,520 | 400 | $146,407 | 17% |
| Boulder, CO | $136,410 | 500 | $129,665 | 19% |
| San Francisco, CA | $134,630 | 5,880 | $116,449 | 31% |
| Greeley, CO | $134,350 | 60 | $134,114 | 15% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $133,970 | 100 | $121,906 | 31% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $130,710 | 170 | $119,455 | 21% |
| New York, NY | $130,540 | 11,460 | $115,971 | 33% |
| Baltimore, MD | $129,880 | 2,670 | $124,303 | 18% |
| Seattle, WA | $129,690 | 6,650 | $116,698 | 21% |
| Kennewick, WA | $128,860 | 80 | $128,758 | 16% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $128,520 | 610 | $127,618 | 16% |
| Honolulu, HI | $128,010 | 80 | $115,365 | 28% |
| Bozeman, MT | $127,590 | 50 | $124,466 | 21% |
| Washington, DC | $126,350 | 8,460 | $116,041 | 23% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $124,400 | 80 | $115,416 | 26% |
| Crestview, FL | $124,040 | 210 | $127,835 | 19% |
| Denver, CO | $123,690 | 3,620 | $116,929 | 18% |
| Durham, NC | $122,980 | 950 | $126,040 | 16% |
| Boston, MA | $122,210 | 6,050 | $112,879 | 29% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $122,210 | 7,200 | $107,611 | 29% |
| Rochester, MN | $120,630 | 140 | $132,822 | 16% |
| San Diego, CA | $120,210 | 2,280 | $107,439 | 30% |
| Vallejo, CA | $115,710 | 40 | $106,666 | 26% |
| Manchester, NH | $115,000 | 280 | $108,843 | 23% |
| Asheville, NC | $114,510 | 100 | $118,656 | 18% |
| Oxnard, CA | $113,680 | 290 | $102,846 | 31% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $112,240 | 30 | $111,654 | 20% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $111,360 | 40 | $112,750 | 21% |
| Dover, DE | $111,270 | 30 | $114,115 | 19% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $111,060 | 130 | $112,017 | 22% |
| Raleigh, NC | $110,800 | 1,760 | $112,880 | 18% |
| Kenosha, WI | $110,770 | 50 | $109,545 | – |
| Santa Maria, CA | $110,640 | 230 | $101,693 | 36% |
| Portland, OR | $109,760 | 1,550 | $104,116 | 20% |
| Bremerton, WA | $109,540 | 40 | $103,724 | 22% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $108,230 | 230 | $113,275 | 17% |
| Davenport, IA | $108,040 | 180 | $121,286 | 11% |
| Naples, FL | $107,950 | 60 | $104,603 | 29% |
| Worcester, MA | $107,370 | 220 | $104,728 | 24% |
| Olympia, WA | $107,140 | 420 | $103,347 | 23% |
| Richmond, VA | $106,300 | 720 | $108,627 | 19% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $106,080 | 30 | $105,839 | 26% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $105,970 | 720 | $108,198 | 21% |
| Atlanta, GA | $105,800 | 5,270 | $105,739 | 21% |
| Riverside, CA | $105,720 | 450 | $99,322 | 29% |
| Huntsville, AL | $105,610 | 850 | $113,471 | 16% |
| Chicago, IL | $105,580 | 5,010 | $101,916 | 25% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $105,270 | 160 | $104,096 | 22% |
| Binghamton, NY | $105,170 | 110 | $113,253 | 18% |
| Gulfport, MS | $105,080 | 100 | $116,748 | 16% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $105,000 | 460 | $104,995 | 22% |
| Sacramento, CA | $104,410 | 930 | $97,881 | 26% |
| Orlando, FL | $104,250 | 1,940 | $102,792 | 22% |
| Bellingham, WA | $103,280 | 110 | $99,948 | 23% |
| Dallas, TX | $103,210 | 8,840 | $100,116 | 19% |
| Columbus, OH | $103,110 | 780 | $108,004 | 18% |
| Austin, TX | $103,070 | 3,340 | $105,103 | 19% |
| Columbus, GA | $102,890 | 130 | $115,224 | 16% |
| Providence, RI | $102,750 | 440 | $100,960 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $102,740 | 2,650 | $100,181 | 22% |
| Springfield, MA | $102,730 | 70 | $106,942 | 23% |
| Ogden, UT | $102,540 | 200 | $102,183 | 19% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $102,420 | 50 | $114,765 | 15% |
| Detroit, MI | $102,390 | 2,140 | $102,086 | 18% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $102,250 | 50 | $114,421 | 15% |
| Cleveland, OH | $102,190 | 1,440 | $108,802 | 17% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $102,130 | 2,190 | $97,432 | 20% |
| Boise, ID | $102,110 | 360 | $103,780 | 23% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $102,090 | 220 | $95,533 | 34% |
| Bloomington, IL | $102,070 | 240 | $109,123 | 15% |
| Buffalo, NY | $101,880 | 340 | $106,298 | 17% |
| Stockton, CA | $101,720 | 90 | $96,794 | 29% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $101,510 | 60 | $109,492 | 20% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $101,140 | 40 | $114,495 | 22% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $100,740 | 3,160 | $97,507 | 20% |
| Trenton, NJ | $100,710 | 450 | $97,606 | 30% |
| Albany, NY | $100,690 | 430 | $101,129 | 20% |
| Tucson, AZ | $100,650 | 430 | $103,874 | 18% |
| North Port, FL | $100,450 | 180 | $98,079 | 25% |
| Dubuque, IA | $100,170 | 40 | $114,705 | 13% |
| Savannah, GA | $100,170 | 60 | $105,214 | 21% |
| Reno, NV | $100,130 | 160 | $99,125 | 25% |
| Miami, FL | $100,050 | 1,960 | $87,644 | 32% |
| Utica, NY | $99,880 | 50 | $107,771 | 17% |
| Beaumont, TX | $99,670 | 50 | $110,688 | 16% |
| Roanoke, VA | $99,600 | 80 | $106,390 | 17% |
| Omaha, NE | $99,580 | 800 | $108,344 | 17% |
| Greensboro, NC | $99,340 | 270 | $106,972 | 17% |
| Charleston, SC | $99,250 | 240 | $98,304 | 25% |
| Gainesville, GA | $99,100 | 60 | $102,412 | 21% |
| Tampa, FL | $98,870 | 1,930 | $97,998 | 24% |
| Norwich, CT | $98,720 | 110 | $98,283 | 26% |
| Houston, TX | $98,690 | 2,420 | $100,062 | 20% |
| Akron, OH | $98,600 | 170 | $105,601 | 16% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $98,350 | 60 | $108,016 | 18% |
| Waterbury, CT | $98,270 | 70 | $98,489 | – |
| Des Moines, IA | $98,190 | 440 | $107,076 | 16% |
| Syracuse, NY | $97,950 | 200 | $102,306 | 20% |
| Bend, OR | $97,870 | 70 | $94,463 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $97,840 | 1,470 | $100,568 | 22% |
| Rochester, NY | $97,840 | 490 | $100,830 | 19% |
| Montgomery, AL | $97,750 | 50 | $108,996 | 17% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $97,520 | 80 | $106,025 | 18% |
| Salem, OR | $97,520 | 80 | $94,087 | 20% |
| Augusta, GA | $97,470 | 120 | $106,057 | 18% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $97,390 | 790 | $100,467 | 19% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $97,250 | 260 | $96,402 | 24% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $97,030 | 1,060 | $97,533 | 21% |
| Greenville, SC | $96,960 | 210 | $103,967 | 19% |
| Springfield, IL | $96,800 | 50 | $104,372 | 15% |
| Peoria, IL | $96,700 | 80 | $105,995 | 14% |
| Ames, IA | $96,560 | 40 | $108,702 | 14% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $96,530 | 50 | $104,164 | 18% |
| Hartford, CT | $96,160 | 510 | $93,590 | 25% |
| Rockford, IL | $96,020 | 40 | $104,195 | 16% |
| San Antonio, TX | $95,990 | 1,010 | $101,345 | 18% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $95,890 | 70 | $102,240 | 19% |
| New Haven, CT | $95,700 | 110 | $91,527 | 26% |
| Spokane, WA | $95,680 | 140 | $95,350 | 19% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $95,600 | 50 | $103,022 | 14% |
| Nashville, TN | $95,280 | – | $98,902 | 23% |
| Ithaca, NY | $94,990 | 40 | $91,940 | 25% |
| Kansas City, MO | $94,970 | 1,430 | $102,623 | 19% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $94,800 | 70 | $103,647 | 19% |
| St. Louis, MO | $94,590 | 1,360 | $99,476 | 18% |
| Midland, TX | $94,500 | 60 | $98,661 | 20% |
| Fresno, CA | $94,350 | 100 | $92,357 | 26% |
| Toledo, OH | $94,160 | 80 | $102,958 | 16% |
| State College, PA | $93,680 | 60 | $96,815 | 25% |
| Hickory, NC | $93,540 | 50 | $105,712 | 20% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $93,510 | 990 | $97,716 | 20% |
| Canton, OH | $93,450 | 40 | $104,523 | 15% |
| Lincoln, NE | $92,710 | 240 | $101,233 | 17% |
| El Paso, TX | $92,150 | 180 | $102,489 | 20% |
| Green Bay, WI | $92,120 | 140 | $98,962 | 15% |
| Portland, ME | $92,050 | 230 | $90,371 | 30% |
| Allentown, PA | $91,520 | 140 | $91,549 | 24% |
| Eugene, OR | $91,150 | 80 | $89,743 | 23% |
| Memphis, TN | $91,040 | 170 | $98,764 | 18% |
| Appleton, WI | $90,890 | 40 | $98,346 | 16% |
| Lancaster, PA | $90,540 | 70 | $92,146 | 21% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $90,520 | 70 | $91,567 | 27% |
| Wichita, KS | $90,130 | 130 | $101,331 | 16% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $90,040 | 170 | $95,870 | 20% |
| Panama City, FL | $89,060 | 30 | $91,535 | 23% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $88,780 | 260 | $92,919 | 22% |
| Tulsa, OK | $88,680 | 270 | $99,401 | 19% |
| Topeka, KS | $88,590 | 120 | $99,741 | 17% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $87,940 | 920 | $92,209 | 21% |
| Mobile, AL | $87,910 | 90 | $99,787 | 17% |
| Modesto, CA | $87,650 | 40 | $84,191 | 28% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $87,270 | 170 | $88,464 | 20% |
| Columbia, SC | $86,320 | 250 | $92,161 | 22% |
| Wilmington, NC | $86,200 | 190 | $89,399 | 24% |
| Champaign, IL | $86,130 | 80 | $92,909 | 19% |
| Knoxville, TN | $85,970 | 220 | $92,871 | 24% |
| Greenville, NC | $85,930 | 40 | $97,204 | 20% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $85,910 | 40 | $91,228 | 23% |
| Fargo, ND | $85,670 | 120 | $94,277 | 15% |
| Scranton, PA | $85,610 | 50 | $91,507 | 19% |
| Janesville, WI | $85,550 | 40 | $91,299 | 18% |
| Waterloo, IA | $84,920 | 90 | $97,545 | 14% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $84,270 | 110 | $94,725 | 17% |
| Deltona, FL | $84,150 | 60 | $84,686 | 25% |
| Bismarck, ND | $83,920 | 30 | $92,195 | 19% |
| College Station, TX | $83,700 | 90 | $92,028 | 22% |
| Gainesville, FL | $83,620 | 50 | $86,444 | 24% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $83,330 | 40 | $89,671 | 18% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $83,290 | 180 | $82,559 | 26% |
| Evansville, IN | $83,250 | 30 | $90,956 | 16% |
| Waco, TX | $83,150 | 80 | $89,843 | 20% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $83,010 | 150 | $81,105 | 26% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $82,940 | 1,610 | $82,226 | 24% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $82,900 | 830 | $87,566 | 21% |
| Birmingham, AL | $82,060 | 360 | $89,542 | 21% |
| Abilene, TX | $81,990 | 50 | $90,733 | 29% |
| Charlotte, NC | $81,990 | 3,900 | $84,224 | 25% |
| Dayton, OH | $81,950 | 400 | $88,409 | 19% |
| Killeen, TX | $81,390 | 80 | $89,310 | 19% |
| La Crosse, WI | $79,840 | 70 | $87,001 | 20% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $79,710 | 80 | $86,106 | 19% |
| Paducah, KY | $79,340 | 40 | $92,166 | 17% |
| Provo, UT | $79,180 | 600 | $80,605 | 27% |
| Reading, PA | $79,140 | 50 | $81,537 | 24% |
| Louisville, KY | $79,040 | – | $84,922 | 20% |
| Lakeland, FL | $78,890 | 130 | $81,212 | 28% |
| South Bend, IN | $78,850 | 40 | $84,915 | 19% |
| Lexington, KY | $78,800 | – | $84,832 | 24% |
| Lafayette, LA | $78,370 | 40 | $89,865 | 21% |
| Lansing, MI | $77,950 | 200 | $82,060 | 20% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $77,700 | 1,120 | $85,944 | 21% |
| Burlington, VT | $76,180 | 110 | $75,464 | 41% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $75,620 | 50 | $85,956 | 16% |
| Columbia, MO | $75,520 | 70 | $84,438 | 23% |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,330 | 30 | $82,320 | 28% |
| Wausau, WI | $74,840 | 30 | $80,776 | 15% |
| York, PA | $74,390 | 80 | $77,490 | 22% |
| Logan, UT | $73,290 | 140 | $76,402 | 23% |
| Little Rock, AR | $72,400 | 280 | $81,017 | 20% |
| Jackson, MS | $71,530 | 130 | $80,327 | 25% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $69,990 | 160 | $77,225 | 22% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $69,390 | 190 | $75,389 | 26% |
| Florence, SC | $67,430 | 30 | $77,708 | 27% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $65,710 | 40 | $72,550 | 24% |
| Shreveport, LA | $63,230 | 40 | $74,594 | 24% |
| San Angelo, TX | $62,400 | 40 | $67,494 | 25% |
| Charleston, WV | $62,300 | – | $70,223 | 23% |
| Springfield, MO | $61,600 | 130 | $69,538 | 24% |
| Ocala, FL | $61,070 | 40 | $64,126 | 31% |
| Macon, GA | $59,310 | 50 | $66,996 | 25% |
| Slidell, LA | $52,120 | 30 | $56,209 | – |
| Morgantown, WV | $39,060 | 50 | $41,855 | 42% |
What the median QA tester salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $104,300 |
| Month | $8,692 |
| Every two weeks | $4,012 |
| Week | $2,006 |
| Hour | $50.14 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a QA tester: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +5.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 10,700 |
| Self-employed | % |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| Cybersecurity analyst | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| Actuary | $130,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network engineer | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| Network administrator | $99,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | Bachelor's degree |
| UX designer | $104,000 | Bachelor's degree |
| Systems analyst | $105,850 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about QA tester pay
How much does a QA tester make an hour?
The median is $50.14 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $29.54 and the top 10% over $80.29.
How much does a QA tester make a month?
About $8,692 a month before taxes at the median salary of $104,300, or $4,012 every two weeks.
What state pays QA testers the most?
California, with a median of $128,740. Washington ($128,480), Colorado ($123,690), Massachusetts ($122,210) and Virginia ($121,590) follow.
Where do QA testers make the most after cost of living?
New Mexico: its median of $116,580 is worth $126,426 at typical US prices. Virginia, Washington and Colorado come next.
How much do entry-level QA testers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of QA testers earn under $61,440 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $80,310, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a QA tester?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 15-1253 (Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.