Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$61,440
- 25th Percentile — Junior$80,310
- 50th Percentile — Median$104,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$133,180
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$167,010
The top 10% of Software Quality Assurance Analysts earn $167,010 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $61,440, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska (est.) | $147,167 | +32.0% |
| California | $131,260 | +17.7% |
| Washington | $131,090 | +17.6% |
| Maryland | $123,410 | +10.7% |
| Colorado | $123,340 | +10.6% |
| New York | $122,950 | +10.3% |
| New Mexico | $122,520 | +9.9% |
| Virginia | $121,160 | +8.7% |
| New Jersey | $120,550 | +8.1% |
| Massachusetts | $117,270 | +5.2% |
| Oregon | $115,840 | +3.9% |
| Nevada (est.) | $113,720 | +2.0% |
| Delaware | $113,340 | +1.7% |
| Montana | $109,480 | -1.8% |
| New Hampshire | $108,730 | -2.5% |
| Rhode Island | $108,720 | -2.5% |
| Illinois | $107,950 | -3.2% |
| District of Columbia | $107,950 | -3.2% |
| Alabama | $105,650 | -5.2% |
| Georgia | $105,320 | -5.5% |
| Hawaii | $105,150 | -5.7% |
| Minnesota | $104,720 | -6.1% |
| Texas | $104,660 | -6.1% |
| Idaho (est.) | $103,686 | -7.0% |
| Wyoming (est.) | $103,686 | -7.0% |
| Florida | $102,560 | -8.0% |
| North Carolina | $102,060 | -8.5% |
| Arizona | $101,790 | -8.7% |
| Connecticut | $98,740 | -11.4% |
| Nebraska | $98,160 | -12.0% |
| Wisconsin | $97,890 | -12.2% |
| South Carolina | $96,910 | -13.1% |
| Michigan | $96,880 | -13.1% |
| Ohio | $95,890 | -14.0% |
| Missouri | $93,990 | -15.7% |
| Kansas | $93,900 | -15.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $93,710 | -15.9% |
| Arkansas (est.) | $92,537 | -17.0% |
| Tennessee | $92,170 | -17.3% |
| Iowa | $91,640 | -17.8% |
| Indiana | $91,470 | -18.0% |
| Vermont | $88,530 | -20.6% |
| Utah | $87,700 | -21.3% |
| Maine | $85,510 | -23.3% |
| Kentucky | $84,590 | -24.1% |
| Mississippi | $83,730 | -24.9% |
| North Dakota | $83,460 | -25.1% |
| Oklahoma | $81,720 | -26.7% |
| West Virginia | $74,460 | -33.2% |
| South Dakota | $73,260 | -34.3% |
| Louisiana | $68,800 | -38.3% |
What Factors Affect Software Quality Assurance Analysts Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
Pay for Software Quality Assurance Analysts is influenced by geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. Location alone is a large factor: California pays an average of $131,260, while Louisiana pays $68,800 — a gap of $62,460 per year.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Software Quality Assurance Analysts typically earn $61,440–$80,310 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $133,180–$167,010 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Software Quality Assurance Analysts role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 5.5% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Technology sector.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
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- Web Developers $98,770/yr United States 11.4% vs this role
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average salary for Software Quality Assurance Analysts?
The average salary for Software Quality Assurance Analysts in the United States is $111,490 per year, with a median of $104,300.
What is the starting salary for Software Quality Assurance Analysts?
Entry-level Software Quality Assurance Analysts typically earn between $61,440 and $80,310 per year depending on location and employer.
What state pays Software Quality Assurance Analysts the most?
California pays Software Quality Assurance Analysts the most at $131,260 per year on average, followed by Washington ($131,090) and Maryland ($123,410).
How much do Software Quality Assurance Analysts make per hour?
Based on the average annual salary of $111,490, Software Quality Assurance Analysts earn approximately $53.6 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
Is Software Quality Assurance Analysts a good career in 2026?
BLS counts 186,740 Software Quality Assurance Analysts jobs in the United States, with a mean annual wage of $111,490 and a median of $104,300 (OEWS May 2025). This site does not publish job-growth projections; the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook covers the outlook for each occupation.
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