How much does a software quality assurance analyst and tester make?
The median software quality assurance analyst and tester in the United States earns $104,300 per year, about $50.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all software quality assurance analysts and testers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 15-1253.
Software quality assurance analyst and tester salary range
Pay for software quality assurance analysts and testers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $61,440 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $167,010. The average (mean) wage of $111,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,440 | $29.54 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $80,310 | $38.61 | |
| Median (50th) | $104,300 | $50.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $133,180 | $64.03 | |
| 90th percentile | $167,010 | $80.29 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for software quality assurance analysts and testers (SOC 15-1253), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Software quality assurance analyst and tester salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Software quality assurance analysts and testers earn the most in California at $128,740 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $62,300. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $128,740 | 27,710 |
| Washington | $128,480 | 7,970 |
| Colorado | $123,690 | 5,110 |
| Massachusetts | $122,210 | 6,640 |
| Virginia | $121,590 | 10,160 |
| New York | $121,240 | 10,460 |
| New Jersey | $119,470 | 6,550 |
| New Mexico | $116,580 | 450 |
| Maryland | $111,100 | 5,880 |
| Oregon | $108,440 | 1,840 |
| New Hampshire | $107,100 | 770 |
| Delaware | $106,060 | 520 |
| Illinois | $104,910 | 6,530 |
| Montana | $103,930 | 150 |
| District of Columbia | $103,340 | 760 |
| Georgia | $103,040 | 7,110 |
| Hawaii | $102,930 | N/A |
| Texas | $101,850 | 19,590 |
| Rhode Island | $101,790 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $101,700 | 2,630 |
| Alabama | $101,500 | 1,760 |
| Arizona | $100,650 | 3,890 |
| North Carolina | $100,390 | 8,890 |
| Florida | $100,210 | 10,320 |
| Michigan | $98,720 | 3,480 |
| Nebraska | $98,010 | 1,240 |
| Ohio | $98,000 | 4,400 |
| Connecticut | $97,740 | 1,160 |
| South Carolina | $97,500 | 1,740 |
| Kansas | $94,490 | 1,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,030 | 4,530 |
| Tennessee | $91,040 | 1,530 |
| Wisconsin | $89,400 | 3,800 |
| Iowa | $88,590 | 1,000 |
| Indiana | $87,020 | 1,610 |
| Maine | $86,050 | 390 |
| Missouri | $85,530 | 2,930 |
| North Dakota | $83,920 | 200 |
| Utah | $82,100 | 2,600 |
| Mississippi | $79,890 | 350 |
| Kentucky | $79,100 | 890 |
| Oklahoma | $77,700 | 1,620 |
| Vermont | $76,580 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $68,120 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $66,810 | 450 |
| West Virginia | $62,300 | 390 |
State median wages for software quality assurance analysts and testers (SOC 15-1253), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for software quality assurance analysts and testers
The BLS projects employment of software quality assurance analysts and testers to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 187,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 198,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,700 openings a year for software quality assurance analysts and testers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a software quality assurance analyst and tester
The typical entry-level education for software quality assurance analysts and testers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a software quality assurance analyst and tester earns
Seniority, employer, location, and specialization matter most. Workers at large tech firms and in expensive metros like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York cluster near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $128,740) and the lowest (West Virginia, $62,300) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 186,740 people work as software quality assurance analysts and testers in the United States. At $104,300 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Software quality assurance analyst and tester salary FAQ
How much does a software quality assurance analyst and tester make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a software quality assurance analyst and tester is $50.14. The middle half of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn between $38.61 and $64.03 per hour.
What is the highest software quality assurance analyst and tester salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn more than $167,010 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a software quality assurance analyst and tester make a year?
The median annual salary for a software quality assurance analyst and tester is $104,300. The average (mean) wage of $111,490 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a software quality assurance analyst and tester a well paid job?
At $104,300 a year, a software quality assurance analyst and tester earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 186,740 people work as software quality assurance analysts and testers in the United States.
Which state pays software quality assurance analysts and testers the most?
California has the highest median salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers at $128,740 a year. Washington ($128,480) and Colorado ($123,690) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a software quality assurance analyst and tester a good career?
Employment of software quality assurance analysts and testers is projected to grow 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a software quality assurance analyst and tester?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for software quality assurance analysts and testers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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