If you’re considering a career as a QA engineer, one of the biggest questions you probably have is: how much can I earn? The good news is that quality assurance roles are not only in high demand, they also pay well, especially as you gain experience and expand your skills.
In this guide, we break down QA engineer salaries in the US based on seniority, location, education path, and certifications. We’ll also show you how to boost your earnings faster by choosing the right training path.
Average QA engineer salary by experience
Like most tech roles, QA engineer salaries increase significantly with experience:
- Entry-level (0–1 years): $55,000 – $72,000
- Junior (1–3 years): $70,000 – $85,000
- Mid-level (3–5 years): $85,000 – $105,000
- Senior (5–8 years): $105,000 – $130,000
- Lead/Principal QA engineer (8+ years): $130,000 – $160,000+
These numbers can vary depending on your location, the size of the company, and your skill set (e.g. automation vs manual, or experience with performance testing).
Tip: Specializing in test automation or performance testing can bump your salary by 15–20% over manual QA roles.
Salary differences by state and city
Where you live and work also impacts how much you can earn. Here’s a snapshot of average salaries for QA engineers in different tech hubs:
- San Francisco, CA: $120,000 – $145,000
- New York, NY: $105,000 – $130,000
- Austin, TX: $95,000 – $115,000
- Chicago, IL: $90,000 – $110,000
- Miami, FL: $80,000 – $95,000
- Remote (nationwide average): $85,000 – $105,000
While major cities offer higher salaries, don’t forget to factor in cost of living. Remote roles now provide access to national averages regardless of location.
Bonus: Some remote QA engineers in low-cost-of-living states are earning big by working for companies based in SF or NYC.
Certifications and their impact on pay
Certifications alone won’t guarantee a raise, but they can help you negotiate a higher salary, especially early in your career.
- ISTQB Foundation Level: Recognized worldwide; adds credibility to your resume
- Certified Software Tester (CSTE): Valued in enterprise settings
- Certified Agile Tester (CAT): Useful for QA engineers working in agile teams
According to Payscale and Glassdoor data, certified QA engineers earn on average 5–12% more than their uncertified peers in the first 3 years of their career.
Pro tip: Certifications are most valuable when paired with practical experience and a strong testing portfolio.
Bootcamp vs degree: which pays off faster?
The traditional path to a tech job used to be a 4-year computer science degree. Today, more professionals are choosing QA bootcamps to get job-ready in months instead of years. But which path pays better?
Path | Time to complete | Avg. cost | Avg. starting salary |
CS Degree | 4 years | $80,000+ | $65K – $75K |
QA Bootcamp | 3–6 months | $3,000 – $8,000 | $60K – $72K |
Bootcamp grads can often start earning in under a year, and with strong performance, their salaries quickly catch up to those of college grads. The key is learning practical, in-demand skills, not just theory.
How our bootcamp can help you earn more
Our QA bootcamp is built to help you launch your career faster and earn more by focusing on:
- Automation tools: We teach Selenium, Cypress, and Postman from day one
- Real-world projects: Build a portfolio that hiring managers care about
- Job support: Resume writing, mock interviews, and salary negotiation coaching
- Mentorship: 1:1 guidance to help you improve your profile and stand out
Graduates of similar programs often land roles within 3–6 months, many starting with salaries above $65K.
