QA Engineer salary
From 31,444 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 15-1253: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Also filed as: Software Tester, Test Automation Engineer
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 49% of QA Engineer filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Top filer: Cognizant. 2,697 filings (9% of the total), median $100,630.
- Pay depends on the city. Among the 10 metro areas with the most filings, the median ranges from $97,365 in Atlanta, GA to $152,973 in San Jose, CA.
- Median up 31% since FY2020. From $82,800 in FY2020 to $108,680 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
QA Engineer H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 31,444 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for QA Engineer jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 15-1253, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers). The median base salary is $105,602, 14% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $88,088 and $129,022. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 49% of filings. Dallas, TX has the most filings (3,840), and Cognizant is the employer that files the most (2,697).
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Top employers for QA Engineer
Cognizant2,697 filings · 9%$100,630
Amazon677 filings · 2%$143,700
Tata Consultancy Services642 filings · 2%$86,923
Capgemini America601 filings · 2%$120,000
NTT DATA479 filings · 2%$120,120
Accenture458 filings · 1%$116,600
Deloitte402 filings · 1%$114,250
Compunnel Software Group372 filings · 1%$103,500
Apple370 filings · 1%$163,300
LTIMindtree348 filings · 1%$95,000
Employers with the most QA Engineer filings. Bar: share of all QA Engineer filings. Figure: median base salary.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 10% of filings
Mid-level · 49% of filings
Senior · 24% of filings
Expert · 18% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $80,000 | 3,020 |
| Level II · Qualified | $93,018 | 14,819 |
| Level III · Experienced | $115,000 | 7,308 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $136,490 | 5,335 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
QA Engineer pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 107 metro areas
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a QA Engineer does
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
Typical tasks
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
- Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
- Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
- Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
- Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (15-1253.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers), the median annual wage was $104,300 in May 2025, with 186,740 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $105,602, 1% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $80,621 | $61,440 |
| 25th percentile | $88,088 | $80,310 |
| Median | $105,602 | $104,300 |
| 75th percentile | $129,022 | $133,180 |
| 90th percentile | $154,796 | $167,010 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $80,621 |
| 25th | $88,088 |
| 50th (median) | $105,602 |
| 75th | $129,022 |
| 90th | $154,796 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $82,800 | $74,090 | $99,570 | 10,716 |
| FY2021 | $90,002 | $74,698 | $109,101 | 9,336 |
| FY2022 | $95,555 | $77,584 | $116,043 | 11,908 |
| FY2023 | $96,845 | $81,328 | $116,000 | 15,310 |
| FY2024 | $99,000 | $82,930 | $120,000 | 16,812 |
| FY2025 | $103,880 | $86,923 | $126,984 | 18,645 |
| FY2026 | $108,680 | $91,374 | $129,792 | 12,799 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B QA Engineer make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for QA Engineer jobs is $105,602 (31,444 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $88,088 and $129,022.
What does an entry-level QA Engineer earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $80,000. Level I accounts for 10% of QA Engineer filings.
Which city pays H-1B QA Engineers the most?
Among metro areas with at least 100 filings, San Jose, CA has the highest median base salary for QA Engineer jobs: $152,973 (2,522 filings).
Which employers file the most H-1B applications for QA Engineers?
Cognizant (2,697), Amazon (677) and Tata Consultancy Services (642) filed the most QA Engineer LCAs in FY2025–FY2026.
Do H-1B QA Engineers earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($105,602) is 1% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($104,300, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.