Salary guide
Software QA Tester Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What software QA testers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median software QA tester salary in the U.S. is $104,300 per year, or $50.14 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $61,440, while the top 10% earned more than $167,010.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Software QA Tester pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,440 | $29.54 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $80,310 | $38.61 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $104,300 | $50.14 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $133,180 | $64.03 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $167,010 | $80.29 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $80,310 | $104,300 | $133,180 |
| Per month | $6,693 | $8,692 | $11,098 |
| Every two weeks | $3,089 | $4,012 | $5,122 |
| Per week | $1,544 | $2,006 | $2,561 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects software QA tester pay
- Specialization (security and cloud skills typically pay more)
- Certifications such as CompTIA, Cisco, AWS or Google
- Portfolio quality and real project experience
- Location and remote-work eligibility
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a software QA tester
- Get credentialed: ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level, ISTQB Test Automation Engineer, Certified Software Tester (CSTE).
- Build specialty experience: Design tests and automation.
- Move up: roles such as senior qa or qa lead and qa manager or developer typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Software QA Tester pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of software QA testers to change by +5.7% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,700 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 15-1253 (“Software quality assurance analysts and testers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Software QA Tester salary FAQ
How much does a software QA tester make per hour?
The median hourly wage for software QA testers was $50.14 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $29.54 and the top 10% earned about $80.29 or more.
How much does a software QA tester make a month?
At the median annual wage of $104,300, that works out to about $8,692 per month before taxes, or about $4,012 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a software QA tester?
New software QA testers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $61,440 and the 25th percentile was $80,310 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can software QA testers earn more?
Common ways include earning ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level and ISTQB Test Automation Engineer, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as senior qa or qa lead.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 15-1253 (Software quality assurance analysts and testers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Software quality assurance analysts and testers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.