SOC 151253

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

National Median

$102,610

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$102,610

Entry Level (10th pct)

$60,690

Experienced (90th pct)

$166,960

Total Employed

199,800

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$60,690 - $79,520
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$79,520 - $131,870
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$131,870 - $166,960

Highest Paying Locations for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$165,700

+61.5% vs national

Lexington Park, MD

$159,870

+55.8% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$139,580

+36.0% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$131,640

+28.3% vs national

Western Washington nonmetropolitan area

$129,940

+26.6% vs national

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$165,700	7,590
Lexington Park, MD	$159,870	460
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$139,580	7,910
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$131,640	7,300
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area	$129,940	60
Rochester, MN	$128,820	140
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$128,270	70
Washington	$128,270	9,220
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$127,940	3,270
California	$127,010	31,530
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$126,730	100
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$126,430	8,740
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$125,440	5,700
Virginia	$123,270	9,880
Colorado Springs, CO	$123,110	640
Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area	$122,750	40
Maryland	$122,310	6,340
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$121,520	13,140
Urban Honolulu, HI	$119,530	160
Boulder, CO	$118,710	550
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$118,090	3,800
Colorado	$114,600	5,580
New Jersey	$111,790	6,930
Lubbock, TX	$111,460	70
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$111,420	50
Asheville, NC	$111,130	70
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$111,040	870
Pittsfield, MA	$110,990	70
Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area	$110,570	40
Manchester-Nashua, NH	$110,340	240
District of Columbia	$110,130	750
New Hampshire	$110,020	610
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$109,960	40
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$109,590	2,260
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area	$109,550	50
New York	$108,800	11,140
Charlottesville, VA	$108,440	160
Vallejo, CA	$107,650	40
Utah	$107,170	4,300
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$106,750	100
Modesto, CA	$106,600	30
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA	$106,530	110
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$106,400	7,560
Raleigh-Cary, NC	$106,290	1,810
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$106,120	110
Massachusetts	$106,090	7,650
Delaware	$106,020	700
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	$106,000	160
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$105,930	2,430
Bozeman, MT	$105,850	80

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?

The national median annual salary for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers is $102,610, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testerss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $165,700.

How much can an experienced Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers make?

Top-earning Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testerss (90th percentile) make $166,960 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.