What is the average Quality Assurance salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of February 01, 2026, the average Quality Assurance salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $138,804. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Quality Assurance job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Quality Assurance job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Quality Assurance Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Quality Assurance Manager | $149,338 | $71.80 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Senior Manager | $191,379 | $92.01 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| IT Quality Assurance Manager | $158,765 | $76.33 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Manager | $165,669 | $79.65 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist I | $78,904 | $37.93 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist III | $121,717 | $58.52 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist II | $97,284 | $46.77 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist IV | $150,393 | $72.30 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer I | $87,240 | $41.94 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer II | $102,034 | $49.05 | Santa Cruz, CA | February 01, 2026 |
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Responsible for the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure adherence to production quality standards. Monitors and audits process, material, and product testing against established standards and conducts a continuous analysis of quality defects and deviations. Identifies deficiencies or gaps in testing activities and develops solutions to ensure adequate and robust quality processes. Optimizes processes to comply with existing and new regulatory requirements. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Quality Assurance Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Manager of Quality Assurance, Product Quality Assurance Manager, Quality Assurance Manager
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Responsible for the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure adherence to production quality standards. Monitors and audits process, material, and product testing against established standards and conducts a continuous analysis of quality defects and deviations. Identifies deficiencies or gaps in testing activities and develops solutions to ensure adequate and robust quality processes. Optimizes processes to comply with existing and new regulatory requirements. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Quality Assurance Senior Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Product Quality Assurance Senior Manager, Senior Manager of Quality Assurance, Quality Assurance Senior Manager
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Manages a group of quality assurance analysts who evaluate, test, and validate software and/or IT services. Develops and implements quality assurance problem reporting processes and systems. Analyzes deficiencies in service or performance and recommends product or service improvements to address problems. Designs and implements defect reduction programs. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. IT Quality Assurance Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:IT Services, Systems and Software Quality Manager, IT Quality Assurance ManagerCategories : IT - All , Executive and Management , IT - Computers, Software , IT - Manager , IT - Networking
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Manages a software quality assurance team to identify defects and ensure quality standards. Selects and utilizes tools and methodologies to improve testing efficiency, accuracy, and consistency. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Evaluates testing outcomes against expected results, implements improvements to processes, and recommends alternative testing as needed. Drafts, revises, and approves test plans and scripts. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Software Quality Assurance Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Manager, Software Testing and Quality Manager, Software Quality Assurance Manager
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Implements company and regulatory quality standards for product manufacturing. Knowledgeable of industry and governmental quality regulations. Audits and reviews quality data according to existing procedures. Documents results in required format. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Quality Assurance Specialist I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Entry Quality Assurance Specialist, QA Analyst I, Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist I, Quality Assurance Methods Specialist I, Quality Assurance Specialist I
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Implements company and regulatory quality standards for product manufacturing. Knowledgeable of industry and governmental quality regulations. Audits and reviews quality data according to existing procedures. Documents results in required format. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Quality Assurance Specialist III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:QA Analyst III, Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist III, Quality Assurance Methods Specialist III, Senior Quality Assurance Specialist, Quality Assurance Specialist III
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Implements company and regulatory quality standards for product manufacturing. Knowledgeable of industry and governmental quality regulations. Audits and reviews quality data according to existing procedures. Documents results in required format. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Quality Assurance Specialist II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Intermediate Quality Assurance Specialist, QA Analyst II, Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist II, Quality Assurance Methods Specialist II, Quality Assurance Specialist II
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Implements company and regulatory quality standards for product manufacturing. Knowledgeable of industry and governmental quality regulations. Audits and reviews quality data according to existing procedures. Documents results in required format. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Quality Assurance Specialist IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:QA Analyst IV, Quality Assurance Compliance Specialist IV, Quality Assurance Methods Specialist IV, Quality Assurance Specialist - Project Lead, Quality Assurance Specialist IV
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Performs inspections and sets quality assurance testing models for analysis of raw materials, materials in process, and finished products. Assists in developing quality control policies and evaluates production limitations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Entry Quality Assurance Engineer, QA/Validation Engineer I, Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer I, Quality Testing and Methods Engineer I, Quality Assurance Engineer I
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Performs inspections and sets quality assurance testing models for analysis of raw materials, materials in process, and finished products. Assists in developing quality control policies and evaluates production limitations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Quality Assurance Engineer II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer, QA/Validation Engineer II, Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer II, Quality Testing and Methods Engineer II, Quality Assurance Engineer II