Expert QA Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Based on 21 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Richmond, VA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Glen Allen, Henrico, Mechanicsville, Midlothian, Chesterfield.
Also listed as: Software Tester, Test Automation Engineer
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $124,301 |
| 25th | $125,000 |
| 50th (median) | $128,000 |
| 75th | $132,726 |
| 90th | $135,000 |
Cost of living
Richmond's median expert QA Engineer salary of $128,000 is worth about $130,800 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Richmond = 97.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the Richmond, VA area earned a median of $106,300 in May 2025 (720 employed). The H-1B median here is $128,000, 20% higher.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cognizant | too few | 4 |
| Elevance Health | too few | 3 |
| ABC Supply NSC | too few | 2 |
| Pyramid Consulting | too few | 2 |
| Virginia Housing Development Authority | 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 | $75,400 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $92,810 | 79 |
| Senior · Level III | $112,500 | 51 |
| Expert · Level IV | $128,000 | 21 |
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 | $75,400 | $75,400 | 14 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $89,378 | $92,810 | 79 |
| Senior · Level III | $110,198 | $112,500 | 51 |
| Expert · Level IV | $127,608 | $128,000 | 21 |
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.