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Create CVIf you're researching quality engineer salary US, you're likely asking: how much does a quality engineer make, what impacts compensation, and how can you increase your salary in this role?
This guide goes beyond surface-level averages. It breaks down real salary ranges, total compensation (base + bonus + equity), industry differences, and how recruiters and hiring managers actually determine quality engineer pay in the United States.
Entry-level (0–2 years): $65,000 – $85,000
Mid-level (3–7 years): $85,000 – $110,000
Senior (8–15 years): $105,000 – $135,000
Lead / Principal Quality Engineer: $125,000 – $160,000+
Minimum observed: $60,000
Average salary: $98,000
Quality engineers often receive structured total compensation (TC), especially in tech and manufacturing environments.
Base Salary: 75%–90%
Annual Bonus: 5%–15% of base
Equity (Tech Companies): $10,000 – $80,000+
Profit Sharing (Manufacturing): $3,000 – $15,000
Benefits (Healthcare, 401k): $10,000 – $25,000+
Base salary: $110,000
$65,000 – $85,000
Focus on testing, documentation, and process compliance
Recruiter insight: Candidates with internships or Six Sigma certifications often start at the higher end.
$85,000 – $110,000
Responsible for process improvement and root cause analysis
Key growth drivers:
Industry specialization
Automation and tooling experience
Top 10%: $140,000 – $180,000+
Entry-level: $5,400 – $7,100/month
Mid-level: $7,100 – $9,200/month
Senior: $8,700 – $11,200/month
Bonus: $12,000
Equity: $25,000
Benefits: $18,000
Total Compensation (TC): $165,000
Key insight: In tech and SaaS companies, equity can dramatically increase total earnings, while in manufacturing, bonuses and profit sharing are more common.
Stakeholder communication skills
$105,000 – $135,000+
Owns quality systems and cross-functional initiatives
$125,000 – $160,000+
Strategic quality leadership
May oversee teams or global processes
$95,000 – $150,000 base
Total compensation: $120,000 – $200,000+
Why highest paid:
Automation and coding skills required
High demand for scalable testing
$75,000 – $110,000
Bonuses tied to production metrics
$85,000 – $120,000
Strong compliance and regulatory requirements
$90,000 – $125,000
High pay due to FDA regulations
Highest paid specialization due to coding skills
California: $110,000 – $160,000
Washington: $105,000 – $150,000
New York: $100,000 – $145,000
Massachusetts: $100,000 – $140,000
Midwest: $70,000 – $100,000
Southeast: $75,000 – $105,000
Recruiter insight: Tech hubs offer higher salaries due to competition for talent and cost of living adjustments.
Automation tools (Selenium, Cypress)
Programming (Python, Java)
Data analysis
Tech and regulated industries pay more due to complexity.
Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)
ASQ certifications
Experience directly correlates with salary bands.
Big Tech: highest TC due to equity
Startups: equity-heavy compensation
Manufacturing: stable base + bonuses
Quality engineer salaries are determined by:
Internal leveling frameworks
Budget constraints
Market benchmarks
Candidate skill scarcity
Critical insight: Candidates with automation + domain expertise command the highest salaries.
This can increase salary by 20%–50%.
Six Sigma or ASQ certifications increase credibility and pay.
Moving into tech or healthcare significantly boosts earnings.
Tech and SaaS companies offer equity upside.
Engineers who impact product and business decisions earn more.
Weak Example:
“I’m okay with the offer as is.”
Good Example:
“Given my experience in automated testing frameworks and process optimization, I’m targeting total compensation in the $120K–$140K range.”
Base salary
Signing bonus ($5K–$20K)
Equity grants
Remote flexibility
Increasing demand for automation engineers
Growth in regulated industries
Shift toward data-driven quality
Annual increases: 3%–6%
Larger increases when switching companies
Senior SDET in tech
Total compensation: $150,000 – $220,000+
Manufacturing Engineer: $75,000 – $105,000
Software Engineer: $110,000 – $180,000
Quality Engineer: $85,000 – $135,000
Insight: Quality engineers earn more when they combine technical and process expertise.
Quality engineer salary in the US offers strong earning potential with multiple paths to increase income.
Your compensation depends on:
Industry
Technical skills
Certifications
Location
By moving into automation, targeting high-paying industries, and negotiating strategically, you can significantly increase your total compensation as a quality engineer.
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