Entry-level QA Engineer salary in Durham, NC
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level I in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Morrisville, Research Triangle Park, Pittsboro.
Also listed as: Software Tester, Test Automation Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $67,176 |
| 25th | $68,687 |
| 50th (median) | $72,192 |
| 75th | $80,000 |
| 90th | $87,457 |
Cost of living
Durham's median entry-level QA Engineer salary of $72,192 is worth about $74,000 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Durham = 97.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the Durham, NC area earned a median of $122,980 in May 2025 (950 employed). The H-1B median here is $72,192, 41% lower.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| OneGlobe | too few | 5 |
| ONEUS Technologies | too few | 4 |
| NCS Pearson | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $72,192 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $92,310 | 87 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,216 | 68 |
| Expert · Level IV | $134,618 | 33 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $66,976 | $72,192 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $86,341 | $92,310 | 87 |
| Senior · Level III | $108,410 | $112,216 | 68 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,794 | $134,618 | 33 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.