As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineer IV in the United States is $125,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a QA/Validation Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A QA/Validation Engineer IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a QA/Validation Engineer IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer | 2-4 years | $89,101 |
| QA/Validation Engineer III | 4-7 years | $100,778 |
| QA/Validation Engineer IV | 7+ years | $125,269 |
| Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer | 7-10 years | $150,339 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor | 10+ years | $112,633 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract QA/Validation Engineer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 2.72% |
| Scrum | 2.77% |
| Virtualization | 2.13% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Innovation
|
$131,565 |
5%
|
|
Linux
|
$130,312 |
4%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$130,312 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$129,059 |
3%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$129,059 |
3%
|
|
Automated Testing
|
$127,806 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA/Validation Engineer IVs enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a QA/Validation Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,627 and $128,727).
QA/Validation Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 3.3% |
| High School | 3.3% |
| Associates | 5.3% |
| Bachelors | 50.0% |
| Masters | 40.1% |
| Doctorate | 1.3% |
Understanding how a QA/Validation Engineer IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021For a QA/Validation Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $150,400 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.
Salaries for a QA/Validation Engineer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $120,986 in 2023 to around $120,525 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA/Validation Engineer IV salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $120,986 |
| 2024 | $121,490 |
| 2025 | $120,525 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The hourly rate for a QA/Validation Engineer can be estimated based on the salary data provided. With a minimum salary of €117,500, a mid salary of €128,700, and a maximum salary of €139,800, the hourly rate ranges from approximately €56.49 to €67.13, depending on experience and specific job responsibilities.
The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineer is $139,800 per year. In comparison, cities like Santa Clara, CA report salaries around $129,435, while other locations like Austin, TX and Raleigh-Durham, NC offer lower averages of $106,143 and $103,057 respectively. The salary range for this role typically spans from $117,500 to $139,800.
The salary for a QA/Validation Engineer in the USA ranges from $117,500 to $139,800, with a mid-salary of $128,700. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the importance of quality assurance in technology and software development.
The estimated total pay for a QA/Validation Engineer ranges from $117,500 to $139,800 per year, with a mid-salary of $128,700. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise and contributions to quality assurance and validation processes.
The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineer is $139,800 per year. The lowest salary for this role is $117,500 per year, with a mid-range salary of $128,700.
Verification Engineers in the US typically earn between $117,500 and $139,800 annually. The average salary is around $128,700, translating to a monthly pay of approximately $10,725. While top earners can make significantly more, the majority fall within this range, reflecting the demand and expertise required in the field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
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