33 Honest Software Tester Salaries
Software testers play a crucial role in the software development world: catching bugs, ensuring optimal performance, and helping teams deliver reliable products. As companies strive for faster releases and improved user experiences, the demand for skilled testers remains high.
But software tester salaries aren’t one-size-fits-all. Pay varies based on experience, specialization (manual vs. automation), industry, and location. Let’s explore software tester salaries based on real data in 33 U.S. cities, highlight the skills and certifications that boost earning potential, and break down how experience can impact your income.
Whether you're new to QA or aiming for a senior role, this guide will help you take the next step with confidence.
What is a Software Tester?
A software tester is responsible for ensuring software works as intended and identifying when it doesn’t. They identify bugs, usability issues, and performance problems before code reaches real users. Testers are essential to any development team, working alongside developers, product managers, and designers to ensure quality from the start.
While the exact responsibilities can vary by role and company, common responsibilities include:
Writing and executing test cases
Identifying, documenting, and reporting bugs
Verifying bug fixes and software updates
Performing regression testing
Collaborating with developers and product teams
Creating or maintaining automated tests (for some roles)
Participating in sprint planning and QA strategy
Testers use a number of tools and methods in their day-to-day work, including manual testing, automation frameworks such as Selenium or Cypress, and test management systems like TestRail or Zephyr. Agile and DevOps practices are also common, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and adaptability as key skills.
Standard job titles vary by company and industry. If you're looking for a role in this field, look for job titles like:
QA Analyst
Software Test Engineer
QA Automation Engineer
Manual Tester
Quality Assurance Lead
Test Architect
Now that we know what software testers do, what can you expect to make in this role?
33 Honest Salaries for Software Testers
To give you an honest look at what software testers earn across the U.S., we pulled salary data from job postings, compensation reports, and labor market tools like Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We focused on full-time software tester roles, ranging from manual QA testers to automation engineers.
Each city's salary range reflects typical low-end, mid-level (average), and high-end earnings. These numbers don’t include bonuses or stock options, which can significantly boost compensation, especially in larger tech hubs. Here’s a breakdown of what software testers are earning in 33 U.S. cities:
City / State | Low-End Salary | Average Salary | High-End Salary |
Austin, TX | $60,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
San Francisco, CA | $80,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
New York, NY | $75,000 | $105,000 | $135,000 |
Seattle, WA | $72,000 | $102,000 | $130,000 |
Chicago, IL | $63,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 |
Boston, MA | $68,000 | $96,000 | $122,000 |
Los Angeles, CA | $66,000 | $94,000 | $120,000 |
Denver, CO | $62,000 | $88,000 | $112,000 |
Atlanta, GA | $60,000 | $86,000 | $110,000 |
Dallas, TX | $61,000 | $87,000 | $112,000 |
Raleigh, NC | $60,000 | $85,000 | $108,000 |
Phoenix, AZ | $58,000 | $83,000 | $105,000 |
Portland, OR | $64,000 | $90,000 | $116,000 |
Miami, FL | $57,000 | $81,000 | $103,000 |
Philadelphia, PA | $60,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
San Diego, CA | $65,000 | $92,000 | $118,000 |
Minneapolis, MN | $61,000 | $87,000 | $112,000 |
Salt Lake City, UT | $58,000 | $82,000 | $106,000 |
Detroit, MI | $56,000 | $80,000 | $102,000 |
Charlotte, NC | $59,000 | $84,000 | $107,000 |
Indianapolis, IN | $55,000 | $78,000 | $100,000 |
Kansas City, MO | $54,000 | $77,000 | $98,000 |
Houston, TX | $60,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 |
Tampa, FL | $55,000 | $78,000 | $100,000 |
Columbus, OH | $56,000 | $80,000 | $103,000 |
Pittsburgh, PA | $54,000 | $76,000 | $97,000 |
Orlando, FL | $54,000 | $75,000 | $96,000 |
St. Louis, MO | $53,000 | $74,000 | $95,000 |
Cleveland, OH | $52,000 | $73,000 | $93,000 |
Milwaukee, WI | $53,000 | $75,000 | $96,000 |
Nashville, TN | $55,000 | $78,000 | $99,000 |
Las Vegas, NV | $54,000 | $76,000 | $95,000 |
New Orleans, LA | $52,000 | $73,000 | $92,000 |
A few clear trends jump out from the salary data:
Tech Hub Salaries (Still) Dominate: Cities like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York top the chart with average salaries well over $100,000. That’s great if you’re already based in those areas—or open to relocating—but keep in mind the higher cost of living.
Mid-Sized Cities Offer Great Value: Places like Austin, Denver, and Raleigh offer solid average salaries ($85,000 to $90,000) without the sky-high rent. These markets are ideal for testers who want competitive pay with a lower cost of living.
There’s a Wide Pay Spread: Some cities show a $40,000 to $50,000 gap between low and high-end salaries. That usually reflects a range of experience and specialization. Manual testers on the low end, and automation or lead testers on the high end.
Smaller Markets Stay Competitive: While places like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and St. Louis have lower averages, many still offer salaries of $90,000 or more for senior or niche roles.
Takeaway for job seekers: If you’re early in your career, look for growth-friendly cities with a healthy tech scene and affordable living. If you’re more experienced or specialize in automation, performance, or security testing, you may be able to command top pay, even outside the usual tech hotspots.
Salary Considerations for Software Testers
Not all software tester roles are created equal, and salaries reflect that. Several factors can significantly influence your earnings, even within the same city or company.
Manual vs. Automation
Automation testers typically earn 15 to 25% more than manual testers. Why? Because automation requires scripting knowledge, tool proficiency (like Selenium or Cypress), and often a stronger technical background. If you’re comfortable writing code and automating tests, your skills are in high demand.
Industry
Certain industries prioritize quality assurance. Finance, healthcare, and SaaS companies often pay more due to the higher stakes of software failure—think regulatory compliance, security standards, or customer SLAs. The government and education sectors may offer more stability, but often at the expense of lower pay.
Soft Skills and Collaboration
Communication and teamwork can also impact salary, especially in Agile environments where QA is closely integrated with development teams. Testers who can clearly explain bugs, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and lead test strategy discussions are more likely to move into higher-paying roles, like QA lead or test architect.
Specialized Testing Areas
Testers with experience in performance, API, or security testing often command higher salaries due to the niche expertise required. These areas are critical to product reliability and often fall outside the scope of standard QA roles.
How Experience Impacts Salary
As with most tech jobs, experience plays a major role in software tester salaries. As testers develop their technical skills and take on responsibility, their value and earning potential increase accordingly. Here's how you can expect your salary to grow over time:
Entry-Level (0–2 years): Typical Salary Range: $55,000–$70,000
Entry-level testers typically focus on manual testing, writing and executing test cases, and becoming familiar with QA processes, bug tracking tools, and Agile workflows. Automation skills are a bonus at this level, but not expected.
Mid-Level (3–5 years): Typical Salary Range: $75,000–$95,000
At this stage, testers often manage test automation, contribute to test planning and strategy, and mentor junior testers. Employers expect a solid understanding of tools like Selenium, API testing skills, and the ability to document.
Senior-Level (6+ years): Typical Salary Range: $95,000–$120,000+
Senior testers often lead QA teams, design automation frameworks, and define quality standards across departments. Titles like QA Lead, Test Architect, or Automation Manager fall into this category and can earn even more in high-cost markets or highly regulated industries.
Must-Know Tools for Software Testers
Today’s QA professionals need more than just a sharp eye; they need to know how to use the right tools to get the job done. Here are some of the most important tools every software tester should know:
Automation Tools: Used to automate repetitive test cases, especially for UI and regression testing. Popular options include Selenium, Cypress, and Playwright.
Test Management Tools: Help organize test cases, track execution, and report on results, especially useful in Agile environments. Popular options include TestRail, Zephyr, and qTest.
Bug Tracking Tools: Used to log, prioritize, and track defects from discovery to resolution. Popular options include Jira and Bugzilla.
Performance Testing Tools: Evaluate how software behaves under load or stress, identifying bottlenecks before launch to ensure optimal performance. Popular options include JMeter and LoadRunner.
API Testing Tools: These tools help testers validate REST and SOAP APIs directly, often before the front-end is fully developed. Popular options include Postman and SoapUI.
CI/CD and Version Control Tools: Essential for integrating tests into continuous delivery pipelines and managing code and test changes. Popular options include Jenkins, GitHub, and GitLab.
Mastering tools from each category, especially automation and CI/CD, can give you a major edge in the job market.
Must-Have Certifications for Software Testers
Certifications aren’t always required, but they can boost your credibility, sharpen your skills, and help you stand out, especially if you're applying for roles in competitive or regulated industries. Here are some of the top certifications to consider:
ISTQB Foundation or Advanced: One of the most widely recognized QA certifications. Covers testing fundamentals, methodologies, and best practices. Advanced levels focus on test management, automation, and technical testing.
Certified Agile Tester (CAT): Focuses on testing within Agile frameworks. Ideal for testers working in Scrum or cross-functional product teams.
Certified Selenium Tester: Validates automation skills specifically with the Selenium framework. Helpful for testers applying to automation-heavy roles.
CP-SAT (Certified Professional – Selenium Automation Testing): Offers hands-on training and assessment for Selenium users. Recognized for its practical approach.
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (Optional): Valuable for testers working in cloud-based, CI/CD-heavy environments. Demonstrates your understanding of DevOps principles and the ability to integrate testing into cloud pipelines.
Certified Associate Tester with Python (PCAT): Foundational cert that helps validate your ability to write reliable tests using unittest, PyTest, and test-driven development.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Software Tester
If you want to move up the pay scale, it’s not just about putting in more years on the job. It’s about expanding your skill set and taking on more strategic responsibility. Here’s how to grow your value and your paycheck:
Learn Test Automation and Scripting Languages: Automation testers consistently earn more than manual testers. Learning tools like Selenium or Cypress, along with scripting languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript, can significantly enhance your marketability.
Earn Relevant Certifications: Credentials such as ISTQB, CP-SAT, or Certified Selenium Tester can help you stand out to hiring managers.
Specialize in High-Demand Areas: Gaining experience in API testing, performance testing, or security testing opens the door to more niche (and better-paying) roles.
Get Comfortable With DevOps: Understanding how testing fits into CI/CD pipelines and learning tools like Jenkins and GitHub makes you more valuable on Agile and cloud-native teams.
Pursue Leadership Opportunities: Leading QA efforts, mentoring junior testers, or transitioning into roles such as QA Lead or Test Architect can result in a significant pay increase.
Conclusion
Software testing is a crucial role with a strong earning potential, especially for those who stay current with the latest tools, trends, and testing strategies. As our salary data shows, pay can vary a lot, depending on where you are, your experience, and area of specialization.
No matter where you’re starting, there are clear ways to move up. Investing in automation skills, earning relevant certifications, and exploring in-demand areas like API or performance testing can help you land higher-paying roles.
If you're ready to elevate your testing career, CBT Nuggets offers training that can help you acquire the skills and confidence you need to take the next step.
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