29 Honest Quality Engineer Salaries

Quality engineers play an essential yet often overlooked role in the software development process. Their job is part detective, part developer, and part safety net. They’re the ones who catch the bugs before users do, ensure features actually work the way they’re supposed to, and build the test systems that keep modern development processes moving.

While the job might not come with the glamour of shipping a shiny new app feature, it does come with growing demand and increasingly competitive salaries. But here’s the catch: what you earn as a quality engineer can vary dramatically based on where you live, how much automation you know, and whether your industry is more “finance and healthcare” or “freemium food delivery app.”

So, what can you expect to earn as a quality engineer? In this guide, we'll break down what quality engineers do, what they really earn across the U.S., and how you can climb the quality engineer salary ladder. 

What is a Quality Engineer in IT?

A quality engineer ensures that things work consistently, reliably, and at scale. In software development, that means testing code, identifying bugs, automating repetitive tasks, and ensuring the final product meets technical specs and user expectations. But the title doesn’t always tell the full story.

Depending on the company and industry, you might also see titles like:

• Software quality engineer

• QA engineer

• Test engineer

• Automation engineer

Each role may lean toward different responsibilities, from writing test scripts in Python or Java to validating performance under load or manually testing edge cases in a complex UI.

Core responsibilities typically include:

• Designing and executing test plans

• Automating test cases using tools like Selenium or Postman

• Reporting bugs and working closely with dev teams to fix them

• Collaborating in Agile or DevOps workflows

• Monitoring performance, scalability, and integration points

Essential skills for modern quality engineers can vary by company and platform. In general, you'll need skills in: 

• Automation Frameworks: Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, Cypress

• Scripting/Programming: Python, Java, Bash, JavaScript

• Testing Methodologies: Unit, integration, regression, and exploratory testing

• Soft Skills: Communication, problem-solving, and a strong eye for detail

It's worth noting that quality engineer roles in the manufacturing process differ from those in IT quality engineering. In factories, quality engineers are the people responsible for ensuring that new products meet quality standards, so the goal is the same, just with different products being checked. 

29 Honest Salaries for IT Quality Engineers

Now that we understand what quality engineers do, let's talk salary. We gathered data from multiple trusted sources, including Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and analyzed salary ranges across 29 U.S. cities. These numbers reflect total base compensation, excluding bonuses and stock options.

We focused on cities with a mix of tech hubs, smaller metros, and affordable living areas to give you a full picture of what quality engineers earn nationwide. Remember that salaries can vary depending on experience, industry, and whether the role leans more manual or automated.

Here’s what we found:

Quality Engineer Salary Trends and Analysis

The numbers don’t lie: quality engineering continues to be a solid-paying career, especially if you’re in the right location with the right skills. Here are a few trends we noticed in the salary data: 

Coastal Cities Still Dominate

It's no surprise that tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, Seattle, and Boston boast the highest average salaries for quality engineers. These cities tend to have a high concentration of automation-heavy roles and product-based companies willing to pay top dollar for talent.

Smaller Cities = Smaller Checks (But Also Smaller Rent)

Places like Tallahassee, Albuquerque, and Boise offer lower average salaries, but don't overlook these smaller towns. The cost of living is dramatically lower (San Francisco is 169% more expensive than Tallahassee, for example), and many remote-friendly roles still pay national rates. If you’ve got automation skills and don’t mind working from your couch, this could be a big win.

Wide Salary Ranges Show Room to Grow

In almost every city, there’s a noticeable gap between entry-level and high-end salaries: often $30K or more. That’s good news because it means that with the right combination of experience, tools, and credentials, there’s upward mobility in this field.

The Automation Factor

Cities with thriving tech ecosystems tend to pay more, but they also expect more, especially expertise in automation. If you're fluent in Selenium, Postman, or CI/CD tools, you're likely to land on the higher end of the salary spectrum, regardless of zip code.

Salary Considerations for Quality Engineers

What you'll earn as a quality engineer often comes down to your skills, the tools you use, and the kind of problems you're solving. Here’s what can move the needle on your paycheck:

Manual vs. Automation

Automation engineers almost always earn more than their manual testing counterparts. Why? Because they bring a highly technical skill set that includes scripting, tool integration, and test infrastructure development. Manual testing still matters, especially in usability or exploratory testing, but automation is where the money’s at.

Scripting and Programming Skills

Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, Bash, or JavaScript can significantly increase your value, especially in agile teams where testers are expected to build and maintain automated test suites. If you can write tests that scale, you're in demand.

CI/CD and DevOps Knowledge

Companies love testers who understand how their code fits into the bigger delivery pipeline. Experience with tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI makes you a huge asset in environments that deploy frequently and expect fast feedback loops.

Industry and Domain

Working in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, or aerospace? Expect higher salaries due to the compliance-heavy nature of QA in those spaces. These roles often require additional certifications and massive amounts of documentation, but the pay bump can be worth it.

Company Type

Product-based companies (think SaaS platforms or tech startups) usually pay more than service-based companies or outsourced testing shops. Why? They often have more complex systems and a bigger investment in long-term quality.

Remote Work

Remote work has leveled the playing field a bit. Some companies still adjust salaries based on location, but others use a flat-rate compensation structure, meaning you could earn a San Francisco paycheck from your basement in Boise.

Agile and Shift-Left Testing

Quality engineers who contribute earlier in the development lifecycle, sometimes called “Shift-Left” testing, are increasingly valuable. If you're helping write testable requirements or pair programming with developers, you’re not just a tester—you’re part of the engineering team. That often comes with higher pay.

How Experience Impacts Salary

Experience doesn’t just change your title. It also changes tasks, how much ownership you take, and, yes, how much you earn. Here’s how salary and responsibilities typically evolve as you move through a quality engineering career:

Entry-Level Quality Engineer (0–2 Years)

You’re likely starting in a manual QA or junior automation role, focused on writing test cases, logging bugs, and learning the company’s systems and tools. Most entry-level quality engineers earn between $55,000 and $80,000, depending on location and whether the work involves any automation.

Common tasks at this level include: 

• Executing test plans

• Reporting issues through tools like JIRA

• Learning automation basics and frameworks

• Collaborating with developers and product managers

Mid-Level Quality Engineer (3–5 Years)

At this stage, you’re probably working as a QA analyst, QA engineer, or automation engineer. You’re trusted to write automated tests, design more complex test strategies, and maybe even mentor junior team members. Salaries typically range from $80,000 to $110,000 or more.

Common tasks might include:

• Building and maintaining automated test suites

• Creating performance or security tests

• Participating in Agile or DevOps workflows

• Collaborating with dev teams during sprint planning

Senior-Level Quality Engineer (6+ Years)

Now you’re stepping into lead roles, such as senior QA engineer, test architect, or even QA manager. You’re guiding strategy, choosing tools, and leading initiatives that impact how the entire team thinks about quality. Senior quality engineers can earn $110,000 to $140,000 or more, especially if you're in cloud, AI, or regulated industries.

Common tasks:

• Designing test infrastructure and CI/CD integrations

• Leading QA strategy across multiple teams or projects

• Managing QA teams or mentoring engineers

• Evaluating and implementing new testing tools

Must-Know Tools for Quality Engineers

If you want to move up the salary ladder, you’ll need more than an eye for bugs. Mastering the right tools can make you faster, more efficient, and more valuable to your team.

Here are the most important tools every quality engineer should know:

• Selenium: The go-to open-source tool for automating web application testing. Supports multiple languages and browsers, and integrates easily into CI/CD pipelines.

• JIRA: A popular issue tracking and project management tool used for reporting bugs, managing sprints, and organizing test cases in Agile workflows.

• Postman: An essential API testing platform that allows you to validate endpoints, inspect responses, and automate integration tests across services.

• Jenkins: A cornerstone of continuous integration, Jenkins automates build and testing workflows and helps teams catch bugs before they reach production.

• TestNG or JUnit: These Java testing frameworks let you build and manage unit tests, run test suites, and generate reports. They’re crucial for backend and automation roles.

• Git/GitHub: Version control isn’t just for developers. Quality engineers use Git to track changes to test scripts, collaborate with devs, and manage code in CI environments.

• Apache JMeter: A tool designed for performance and load testing. It helps you evaluate how your application behaves under stress— before your users do it for you.

Must-Have Certifications for Quality Engineers

Certifications aren’t always required for quality engineer roles, but they can definitely help you stand out. That's especially true if you're aiming for senior roles, breaking into automation, or transitioning from another industry. Here are the certifications that are worth your time:

ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board)

A globally recognized cert with multiple levels (Foundation, Advanced, Expert). It’s often the first stop for QA professionals looking to solidify their knowledge of testing principles and best practices.

Best for: Entry-level to mid-level testers, or anyone wanting a strong theoretical foundation.

Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

Offered by ASQ (American Society for Quality), this cert dives deep into quality principles, auditing, testing techniques, and process improvement. It’s more holistic than ISTQB and respected across industries.

Best for: QA professionals working in regulated or manufacturing-heavy industries like healthcare, aerospace, or automotive.

Six Sigma Certification

While not QA-specific, Six Sigma focuses on reducing defects and improving processes. It’s especially valuable if you work in companies that prioritize lean development or continuous improvement.

Best for: Quality engineers in manufacturing, logistics, or highly structured development environments.

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer

As more QA environments move to the cloud, understanding infrastructure, deployment, and testing in cloud-native environments is a huge plus. This certification proves you can handle CI/CD pipelines, automation, and monitoring in AWS.

Best for: QA professionals working with cloud platforms, especially in automation-heavy or DevOps-integrated roles.

How to Increase Your Salary as a Quality Engineer

Want to earn more as a quality engineer? These are the most effective ways to level up your income and career.

• Specialize in High-Demand Testing Areas: Focus on automation, security testing, performance testing, or API testing. These specialized skills are harder to find, and employers are willing to pay higher salaries to get them. 

• Learn Scripting Languages: Proficiency in Python, Java, Bash, or JavaScript opens the door to automation roles and makes you more competitive in hybrid QA/developer teams.

• Earn Relevant Certifications: Credentials like ISTQB, CSQE, or AWS DevOps Engineer can validate your skills and help you stand out, especially in highly regulated or cloud-based environments.

• Gain DevOps and CI/CD Knowledge: Learn how quality fits into the software delivery pipeline. Familiarity with Jenkins, GitLab CI, Docker, and similar tools can make you indispensable on Agile teams.

• Move into Leadership Roles: Look for opportunities to grow into roles like QA lead, test architect, or manager. These positions involve strategy and oversight and come with significantly higher pay.

Conclusion

Quality engineers are essential for companies building reliable, user-friendly, and scalable software. As demand for faster, more automated development grows, so does the value of skilled QA professionals.

Salaries vary widely depending on where you live, what tools you know, and how deeply you’re embedded in the development lifecycle. But the best way to increase your income as a quality engineer is through continuous learning. Automation, DevOps, scripting, and leadership skills are all in high demand. Investing in them now can lead to big payoffs down the road.

Ready to earn more as a quality engineer? Continue your IT certification training with CBT Nuggets courses like Docker Online Training, Intermediate JavaScript Online Training, or DevOps Fundamentals: How to Create a CI/CD Pipeline Online Training.