What is the average Quality Engineer salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of March 01, 2026, the average Quality Engineer salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $168,936. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Quality Engineer 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 Engineer job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Quality Engineer Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer III | $130,095 | $62.55 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer I | $83,189 | $39.99 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer II | $105,944 | $50.93 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV | $152,479 | $73.31 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer I | $87,453 | $42.04 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer II | $102,285 | $49.18 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer III | $123,257 | $59.26 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer IV | $149,861 | $72.05 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI | $234,268 | $112.63 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer V | $182,184 | $87.59 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Software Quality Assurance Engineer III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer III, Software Testing and Quality Engineer III, Software Quality Assurance Engineer III
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Software Quality Assurance Engineer I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer I, Software Testing and Quality Engineer I, Software Quality Assurance Engineer I
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. 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. Software Quality Assurance Engineer II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer II, Software Testing and Quality Engineer II, Software Quality Assurance Engineer II
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. 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. Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer IV, Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV, Software Quality Assurance Engineer 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
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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. May report to an executive or a manager. 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 Engineer III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:QA/Validation Engineer III, Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer III, Quality Testing and Methods Engineer III, Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer III
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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 in area of specialty. May report to an executive or a manager. 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 Engineer IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:QA/Validation Engineer IV, Quality Assurance Engineer - Project Lead, Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer IV, Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV, Specialist Quality Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer IV
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Typically requires 12+ years of related experience. Achievement and depth of knowledge of specialization or field is the main differentiator. Advisory role on complex and challenging projects and initiatives. Recognized for deep technical and industry knowledge and innovative thinking. Provides thought leadership and guidance to a functional area and the organization. Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer VI, Software Testing and Quality Engineer VI, Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI
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Utilizes various testing procedures to ensure that software meets user requirements and established performance, functionality, and quality standards before release. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Documents testing objectives, scope, methods, and results according to required procedures. Performs functional, regression, security, and usability testing. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. Software Quality Assurance Engineer V Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer V, Software Testing and Quality Engineer V, Software Quality Assurance Engineer V