These figures are estimated from the national median for this role using a verified geographic cost-of-living multiplier for this metro area. Direct survey data is used where available.

QA Engineer Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara CA (2026)

Shift to automated testing (SDET) mandatory for top pay.

Median Salary: $177,645

Range: $115K – $304K

CoL Tier: Very High · 3-Year Trend: +4.2% · Source: Built In (calculated)

Avg Total Comp

$209,250

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.

Join The Foundry