QA Engineer Salary — 2026 Data
Design test plans, build test automation, and own quality across web, mobile, and API surfaces. Compare compensation across 50 locations, from entry-level to senior positions.
| Location | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Senior | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $78K – $115K | $111K – $162K | $155K – $223K | 180 |
| New York | $74K – $109K | $105K – $154K | $147K – $211K | 170 |
| San Jose | $78K – $114K | $110K – $161K | $154K – $221K | 178 |
| Seattle | $71K – $104K | $100K – $146K | $140K – $201K | 155 |
| Los Angeles | $67K – $98K | $94K – $138K | $132K – $190K | 150 |
| Boston | $68K – $100K | $97K – $142K | $136K – $195K | 145 |
| Washington D.C. | $70K – $102K | $98K – $144K | $138K – $198K | 150 |
| San Diego | $65K – $95K | $92K – $134K | $129K – $185K | 140 |
| Chicago | $61K – $89K | $86K – $126K | $121K – $173K | 115 |
| Austin | $63K – $92K | $89K – $130K | $124K – $178K | 110 |
| Denver | $61K – $89K | $86K – $126K | $121K – $173K | 120 |
| Atlanta | $58K – $85K | $82K – $120K | $115K – $165K | 105 |
| Dallas | $58K – $85K | $82K – $120K | $115K – $165K | 105 |
| Houston | $57K – $84K | $81K – $119K | $114K – $163K | 102 |
| Miami | $61K – $89K | $86K – $126K | $121K – $173K | 125 |
| Phoenix | $55K – $81K | $78K – $114K | $109K – $157K | 100 |
| Philadelphia | $59K – $87K | $84K – $122K | $117K – $168K | 110 |
| Minneapolis | $59K – $87K | $84K – $122K | $117K – $168K | 108 |
| Portland | $63K – $92K | $89K – $130K | $124K – $178K | 130 |
| San Antonio | $53K – $78K | $75K – $110K | $106K – $152K | 95 |
| Detroit | $55K – $80K | $77K – $113K | $108K – $155K | 95 |
| Raleigh | $57K – $83K | $80K – $118K | $113K – $162K | 102 |
| Charlotte | $57K – $83K | $80K – $118K | $113K – $162K | 102 |
| Nashville | $57K – $84K | $81K – $119K | $114K – $163K | 105 |
| Orlando | $55K – $81K | $78K – $114K | $109K – $157K | 102 |
| Tampa | $56K – $82K | $79K – $115K | $110K – $158K | 100 |
| Jacksonville | $53K – $78K | $75K – $110K | $106K – $152K | 98 |
| Salt Lake City | $57K – $83K | $80K – $118K | $113K – $162K | 108 |
| Pittsburgh | $53K – $78K | $75K – $110K | $106K – $152K | 95 |
| Indianapolis | $53K – $78K | $75K – $110K | $106K – $152K | 95 |
| Columbus | $54K – $79K | $76K – $112K | $107K – $153K | 95 |
| Cleveland | $52K – $77K | $74K – $108K | $104K – $149K | 92 |
| Cincinnati | $53K – $77K | $75K – $109K | $105K – $150K | 94 |
| Kansas City | $55K – $80K | $77K – $113K | $108K – $155K | 95 |
| St. Louis | $53K – $78K | $75K – $110K | $106K – $152K | 92 |
| Milwaukee | $54K – $79K | $76K – $112K | $107K – $153K | 94 |
| Baltimore | $58K – $85K | $82K – $120K | $115K – $165K | 108 |
| Richmond | $55K – $81K | $78K – $114K | $109K – $157K | 100 |
| Virginia Beach | $55K – $80K | $77K – $113K | $108K – $155K | 98 |
| Sacramento | $61K – $89K | $86K – $126K | $121K – $173K | 125 |
| Las Vegas | $57K – $83K | $80K – $118K | $113K – $162K | 108 |
| Oklahoma City | $51K – $75K | $72K – $106K | $101K – $145K | 88 |
| Memphis | $51K – $75K | $72K – $106K | $101K – $145K | 88 |
| Louisville | $52K – $77K | $74K – $108K | $104K – $149K | 90 |
| New Orleans | $53K – $78K | $75K – $110K | $106K – $152K | 95 |
| Albuquerque | $52K – $77K | $74K – $108K | $104K – $149K | 95 |
| Tucson | $52K – $77K | $74K – $108K | $104K – $149K | 95 |
| Buffalo | $52K – $77K | $74K – $108K | $104K – $149K | 90 |
| Honolulu | $61K – $89K | $86K – $126K | $121K – $173K | 175 |
| Remote (US) | $55K – $81K | $78K – $114K | $109K – $157K | 100 |
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