QA Engineer Salary Guide 2026
Shift to automated testing (SDET) mandatory for top pay.
National Median: $131,589
Range: $85K – $225K
3-Year Growth Trend: +4.2% · Source: Built In
Avg Total Comp
$155,000
Experience Level
QA Manager median $131k; SDET specialists command 20-30% premium.
Subscribe to the newsletter to view Average Total Comp & Experience Insights
Transition Opportunity
Generalist salaries for QA Engineer are stagnating as the market shifts toward specialized AI execution. Join The Foundry to pivot your career into high-growth technical tracks.
Metro Area Breakdown
20 Markets| Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA | $177,645 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA | $175,013 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City NY-NJ-PA | $163,170 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA-NH | $160,539 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue WA | $157,907 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria DC-VA-MD-WV | $157,907 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim CA | $157,907 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad CA | $151,327 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI | $144,748 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood CO | $142,116 |
| Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown TX | $138,168 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington TX | $138,168 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta GA | $135,537 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach FL | $134,221 |
| Raleigh-Durham-Cary NC | $131,589 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington MN-WI | $128,957 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia NC-SC | $128,957 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler AZ | $127,641 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn MI | $126,325 |
| Salt Lake City UT | $125,010 |
"Calculated" benchmarks are derived from the national median using verified geographic cost-of-living multipliers. "Verified" entries are sourced directly from Built In.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a QA Engineer in 2026?
The national median salary for a QA Engineer in 2026 is $131,589. Base salaries range from $85K to $225K depending on experience level and location.
Which city pays QA Engineers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA offers the highest median salary for QA Engineers at $177,645. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley CA is a close second at $175,013.
How fast are QA Engineer salaries growing?
QA Engineer salaries have grown at 4.2% over the past three years, making it a stable-growth role. Shift to automated testing (SDET) mandatory for top pay.
What is the salary range for an entry-level QA Engineer?
Entry-level QA Engineer salaries start around $85K annually at the national level. Tier 1 cities like San Francisco and New York start 20–35% higher. Specialization in AI and cloud-adjacent skills accelerates entry compensation.
What total compensation should a QA Engineer expect?
Subscribe to the Vetta newsletter to access average total compensation data including equity and bonus breakdowns for QA Engineer roles across all 20 metro areas.