How much does a Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Lead make in the United States?
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The average Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Lead salary in the United States is $181,354 as of August 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Lead positions (listed below) typically falls between $160,578 and $202,131. 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) Lead's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Software Quality Assurance Lead | $93,331 | $44.87 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance | $70,663 | $33.97 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Quality Assurance Lead | $140,846 | $67.71 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Director | $213,519 | $102.65 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Supervisor | $128,305 | $61.69 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Manager | $150,629 | $72.42 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager | $179,842 | $86.46 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer II | $96,009 | $46.16 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer III | $117,912 | $56.69 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
| Software Quality Assurance Engineer I | $75,403 | $36.25 | United States | August 01, 2026 |
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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
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Software Quality Assurance Manager 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Manager 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. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Manager drafts, revises, and approves test plans and scripts. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. The Software Quality Assurance Manager 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. To be a Software Quality Assurance Manager 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. View Software Quality Assurance Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Manager, Software Testing and Quality Manager
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Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager 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. Being a Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager 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. Additionally, Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager drafts, revises, and approves test plans and scripts. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. The Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager 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. To be a Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. View Software Quality Assurance Senior Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Software QA Senior Manager, Software Testing and Quality Senior Manager
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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