Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers in the U.S. is $104,300 ($50.14 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $104,300
- Mean annual wage
- $111,490
- Median hourly wage
- $50.14
- Employment
- 186,740
186,740 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| 25th percentile | $80,310 | $38.61 |
| Median (50th) | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| 75th percentile | $133,180 | $64.03 |
| 90th percentile | $167,010 | $80.29 |
Highest-paying states for software quality assurance analysts and testers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lowest-paying states
- West Virginia: $62,300 median annual wage
- Louisiana: $66,810 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $68,120 median annual wage
- Vermont: $76,580 median annual wage
- Oklahoma: $77,700 median annual wage
About this occupation
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.
Typical tasks
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
- Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
- Create or maintain databases of known test defects.
- Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
- Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.
- Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.6% |
| Some college, no degree | 13.1% |
| Associate's degree | 7.7% |
| Bachelor's degree | 49.9% |
| Master's degree | 20.6% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 2.4% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Software Developers$135,980
- Computer User Support Specialists$61,860
- Computer Systems Analysts$105,850
- Computer Occupations, All Other$116,580
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$99,130
- Data Scientists$120,230
- Information Security Analysts$129,180
- Computer Network Architects$134,050
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.