What is the average Software Quality Assurance salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of August 01, 2026, the average Software Quality Assurance salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $171,066. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Software 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 Software 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.
Software Quality Assurance Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Quality Assurance Manager | $168,297 | $80.91 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer III | $131,744 | $63.34 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV | $154,497 | $74.28 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer II | $107,270 | $51.57 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer I | $84,248 | $40.50 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Director | $238,565 | $114.69 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Supervisor | $143,356 | $68.92 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager | $200,937 | $96.60 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI | $237,207 | $114.04 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer V | $184,639 | $88.77 | Santa Cruz, CA | August 01, 2026 |
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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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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 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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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 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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Plans and directs an organization's software quality assurance function. Develops policies and procedures to ensure the performance, functionality, and quality of software releases and meet user requirements. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to define testing methods and acceptance criteria. Establishes functional, regression, security, and usability testing metrics. Oversees project objectives and key milestones to meet deadlines, budgets, and organizational goals and ensure the timely release of new software products or features. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Software Quality Assurance Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Director, Software Testing and Quality Director, Software Quality Assurance Director
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Supervises the daily operations of a software quality assurance team. Analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to identify proper testing methods and define acceptance criteria. Assigns testing tasks to team members. Trains team on tools and methodologies to ensure that software tests identify defects and comply with quality standards. Evaluates testing outcomes against expected results and recommends improvements to test plans and scripts as needed. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. Software Quality Assurance Supervisor Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Supervisor, Software Testing and Quality Supervisor, Software Quality Assurance Supervisor
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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. 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. Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Senior Manager, Software Testing and Quality Senior Manager, Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager
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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