How much does a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer make in the United States?
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The average Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer salary in the United States is $92,689 as of May 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer positions (listed below) typically falls between $84,956 and $100,421. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Engineer's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer II | $95,282 | $45.81 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer III | $117,018 | $56.26 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer I | $74,833 | $35.98 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI | $210,647 | $101.27 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV | $137,207 | $65.96 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer V | $163,947 | $78.82 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer | $95,120 | $45.73 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance | $70,652 | $33.97 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Director | $211,887 | $101.87 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Supervisor | $127,321 | $61.21 | United States | May 01, 2026 |
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer II 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer II 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. The Software Quality Assurance Engineer II occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer II typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer II, Software Testing and Quality Engineer II
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer III 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer III 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. The Software Quality Assurance Engineer III work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer III typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer III, Software Testing and Quality Engineer III
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer I 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer I 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. The Software Quality Assurance Engineer I work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer I typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer I, Software Testing and Quality Engineer I
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI 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. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI 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. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer VI SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer VI, Software Testing and Quality Engineer VI
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV 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. The Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer IV, Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV
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Software Quality Assurance Engineer V 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Engineer V prepares data sets and edge cases to test logic, error handling, and system workflows to ensure reliability. Isolates, reproduces, and tracks defects. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Engineer V 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. The Software Quality Assurance Engineer V 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. To be a Software Quality Assurance Engineer V typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Software Quality Assurance Engineer V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Engineer V, Software Testing and Quality Engineer V
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Software Quality Assurance Director 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Director analyzes software requirements and technical specifications to define testing methods and acceptance criteria. Establishes functional, regression, security, and usability testing metrics. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Director 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. The Software Quality Assurance Director 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. To be a Software Quality Assurance Director typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Software Quality Assurance Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Director, Software Testing and Quality Director
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Software Quality Assurance Supervisor 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor assigns testing tasks to team members. Trains team on tools and methodologies to ensure that software tests identify defects and comply with quality standards. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Supervisor 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. The Software Quality Assurance Supervisor 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. To be a Software Quality Assurance Supervisor typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. View Software Quality Assurance Supervisor SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Supervisor, Software Testing and Quality Supervisor