California Median
$128,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.89
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $104,300
State Rank
#1 of 46
27,710 employed here
How much do Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers make in California?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers working in California earn a median salary of $128,740 per year, or about $61.89 per hour. That is 23% above the national median of $104,300 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $65,890 while the top 10% make $201,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,530 and $165,530 a year.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,890 | $31.68 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,530 | $44.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $128,740 | $61.89 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $165,530 | $79.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $201,070 | $96.67 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 46 states and territories for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in other states
Washington $128,480Colorado $123,690Massachusetts $122,210Virginia $121,590New York $121,240New Jersey $119,470New Mexico $116,580Maryland $111,100Oregon $108,440New Hampshire $107,100Delaware $106,060Illinois $104,910Montana $103,930District of Columbia $103,340Georgia $103,040Hawaii $102,930Texas $101,850Rhode Island $101,790Minnesota $101,700Alabama $101,500Arizona $100,650North Carolina $100,390Florida $100,210Michigan $98,720Nebraska $98,010Ohio $98,000Connecticut $97,740South Carolina $97,500Kansas $94,490Pennsylvania $93,030Tennessee $91,040Wisconsin $89,400Iowa $88,590Indiana $87,020Maine $86,050Missouri $85,530North Dakota $83,920Utah $82,100Mississippi $79,890Kentucky $79,100Oklahoma $77,700Vermont $76,580South Dakota $68,120Louisiana $66,810West Virginia $62,300
Working as Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in California
Nationally, about 187,000 people work as Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($128,740) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers make in California?
The median Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in California is $128,740 per year, or about $61.89 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,890 at the entry level to $201,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers about 23% more than the national median of $104,300. California ranks 1st out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $128,740 a year. About 27,710 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.