QA Engineer Salary US

Average salary, take-home pay, and how much you can earn at different experience levels.

Average Salary Range$60k - $130kMidpoint: $95k
Monthly Take-Home$3,583 - $7,068After tax (6% 401k)
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How much does a QA Engineer earn in the US?

A QA Engineer in the United States typically earns $60k - $130k a year, with a midpoint of $95k. That is roughly $3,583 - $7,068 a month after tax and a 6% 401(k). Pay rises with experience and is highest in large coastal cities; the tables below break it down.

Core Careers estimate, as of October 2026. How we calculate. Updated .

Salary by Experience Level

QA Engineer salaries increase significantly with experience. Here's what you can expect at each career stage:

Experience LevelSalary RangeMonthly Net
Junior (1-2 years)$45k - $111k$2,729 - $6,143
Mid-Level (3-5 years)$54k - $130k$3,241 - $7,068
Senior (5-8 years)$63k - $156k$3,753 - $8,303
Lead / Principal (8+ years)$72k - $182k$4,230 - $9,568

Salary by Location

Location significantly impacts QA Engineer salaries. San Francisco and NYC offer the highest pay, while other regions vary:

San Francisco$109k - $147k+35% vs national avg
New York City$105k - $142k+30% vs national avg
Seattle$101k - $137k+25% vs national avg
Los Angeles$93k - $126k+15% vs national avg
Boston$97k - $131k+20% vs national avg
Washington DC$93k - $126k+15% vs national avg
Austin$89k - $120k+10% vs national avg
Denver$87k - $118k+8% vs national avg
Chicago$85k - $115k+5% vs national avg
Atlanta$81k - $109k
Dallas$81k - $109k
Phoenix$77k - $104k-5% vs national avg
Miami$81k - $109k
San Diego$90k - $122k+12% vs national avg
Remote (US)$85k - $115k+5% vs national avg

Related Role Salaries

Software Engineer$80k - $200kData Analyst$55k - $120kProduct Manager$90k - $200kUX Designer$70k - $160kProduct Designer$80k - $180kDevOps Engineer$90k - $180k

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average QA Engineer salary in the US?

The average QA Engineer salary in the US ranges from $60k - $130k, with a midpoint of $95k. Salaries vary based on experience, location, and company size.

How much do QA Engineers earn in San Francisco?

QA Engineers in San Francisco typically earn 30-35% more than the national average due to higher cost of living. Expected range: $109k - $147k.

What factors affect QA Engineer salary?

Key factors include years of experience, location (SF and NYC pay highest), company size, industry sector, specific technical skills, and whether the role includes management responsibilities.

Salary data is based on industry research and job posting analysis. Actual salaries may vary. Use our salary calculator for precise take-home pay estimates.