What are the main factors that influence a Testing Lead's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Testing Lead's salary?

A Testing Lead's salary grows with experience: a Test Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $135,953, a Test Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $148,515, a Testing Lead (10+ years)earns $106,717, a Test Engineering Manager I (10+ years)earns $127,296, a Test Engineering Manager II (10+ years)earns $157,563,

What are the highest paying states for a Testing Lead?

Testing Lead salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Testing Lead roles are District of Columbia $129,712, California $129,220, Massachusetts $127,498. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Testing Lead roles make?

Salaries for Testing Lead level roles vary by specialization: Performance Testing Lead: $139,971; Testing Procedures and Protocols Engineer IV: $135,230; Software Testing and Quality Engineer IV: $131,440; Quality Assurance Testing Model Engineer IV: $125,290; Quality Testing and Methods Engineer IV: $125,283.

How do different companies affect a Testing Lead's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Testing Lead roles. Large, established industry leaders like C R Bard Inc ($128,509) and Henry Schein Canada ($124,697) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $82,041.

Testing Lead Salary in the United States

How much does a Testing Lead make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Testing Lead in the United States is $117,153 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, a Testing Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,571
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,512 to $124,176
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,735

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Testing Lead Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$124,176	$10,348	$2,388	$60
Average	$117,153	$9,763	$2,253	$56
25th Percentile	$107,512	$8,959	$2,068	$52

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Testing Lead Salaries

A Testing Lead'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.

How Experience Level Affects Testing Lead Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Testing Lead'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $135,953
Early Career (1-2 years): $148,515
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,717
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $127,296
Expert (over 8 years): $157,563

Levels	Salary
Test Engi... Level Testing Lead	$135,953
Test Engi... Level Testing Lead	$148,515
Testing L... Level Testing Lead	$106,717
Test Engi... Level Testing Lead	$127,296
Test Engi... Level Testing Lead	$157,563

View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Testing Lead Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Testing Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $129,712.
California: $129,220.
Massachusetts: $127,498.

District of Columbia $129,712

California $129,220

Massachusetts $127,498

Washington $127,029

New Jersey $126,982

Alaska $126,818

Connecticut $125,202

New York $124,546

Hawaii $122,449

Rhode Island $121,465

Maryland $120,797

Minnesota $119,883

Colorado $119,532

Illinois $119,414

Oregon $118,969

Delaware $118,641

New Hampshire $118,435

Virginia $117,973

Pennsylvania $116,626

Nevada $115,947

North Dakota $115,724

Michigan $115,373

Wisconsin $115,244

Vermont $114,986

Texas $114,271

Maine $114,224

Arizona $114,154

Ohio $114,072

Georgia $112,994

Indiana $112,455

Wyoming $112,350

Utah $112,186

Iowa $112,116

Kansas $111,553

Louisiana $111,389

North Carolina $111,331

Missouri $111,307

Florida $110,850

Montana $110,604

Nebraska $110,370

Kentucky $110,241

South Carolina $109,773

Tennessee $109,480

Idaho $109,363

New Mexico $108,507

Oklahoma $108,320

Alabama $107,629

South Dakota $106,469

Arkansas $105,836

West Virginia $105,497

Mississippi $104,477

Top Paying Cities for Testing Leads

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

San Jose: $147,765
San Francisco: $146,313
Oakland: $143,068

San Jose, CA $147,765

San Francisco, CA $146,313

Oakland, CA $143,068

New York, NY $135,769

Queens Village, NY $134,890

Paramus, NJ $133,953

Passaic, NJ $133,836

Bergenfield, NJ $133,719

Stamford, CT $133,543

Huntington, NY $133,426

Newark, NJ $132,664

Bridgeport, CT $132,430

New Brunswick, NJ $132,043

Vallejo, CA $131,797

Middlesex, NJ $131,727

Somerset, NJ $131,622

Petaluma, CA $131,352

Santa Cruz, CA $130,895

Boston, MA $130,661

Monterey, CA $130,075

Fairbanks, AK $129,993

Los Angeles, CA $129,771

Washington, DC $129,712

Seattle, WA $129,501

Santa Rosa, CA $129,478

Juneau, AK $129,138

Orange, CA $128,751

Anchorage, AK $128,541

Anaheim, CA $128,459

Santa Ana, CA $128,283

Nassau, NY $128,213

Long Beach, CA $128,166

Danbury, CT $128,131

Santa Maria, CA $127,732

Everett, WA $127,709

Bremerton, WA $127,135

Trenton, NJ $126,912

Sacramento, CA $126,865

San Diego, CA $126,807

Brockton, MA $126,760

Tacoma, WA $126,713

Santa Barbara, CA $126,549

Lowell, MA $126,080

New Suffolk, NY $126,034

Nashua, NH $125,893

Lompoc, CA $125,706

Ventura, CA $125,588

Stockton, CA $125,553

New Haven, CT $125,319

Atlantic City, NJ $125,014

Hartford, CT $124,757

Modesto, CA $124,698

Poughkeepsie, NY $124,440

New Britain, CT $124,382

Kennewick, WA $124,218

Olympia, WA $124,218

New London, CT $124,194

Norwich, CT $124,159

Lawrence, MA $124,101

Bakersfield, CA $123,772

New Bedford, MA $123,608

Riverside, CA $123,608

Richland, WA $123,491

Portsmouth, NH $123,398

Vineland, NJ $123,374

San Bernardino, CA $123,280

Boulder, CO $122,952

Worcester, MA $122,859

Portland, OR $122,753

Saint Paul, MN $122,613

Minneapolis, MN $122,613

Philadelphia, PA $122,449

Honolulu, HI $121,828

Springfield, MA $121,418

Providence, RI $121,406

Chicago, IL $121,066

Bellingham, WA $120,926

Baltimore, MD $120,797

Chico, CA $120,504

Wilmington, DE $120,305

Pittsfield, MA $120,188

Manchester, NH $119,965

Spokane, WA $119,450

Denver, CO $119,438

Albany, NY $118,887

Troy, NY $118,840

Schenectady, NY $118,594

Burlington, VT $118,337

Portland, ME $117,927

Salem, OR $117,833

Yakima, WA $117,809

Ann Arbor, MI $117,774

Rochester, MN $117,446

Reno, NV $117,388

Fresno, CA $117,388

Milwaukee, WI $117,282

Detroit, MI $117,165

Allentown, PA $117,130

Carson City, NV $117,118

Houston, TX $116,942

Colorado Springs, CO $116,931

Syracuse, NY $116,872

Eugene, OR $116,650

Gary, IN $116,509

Bismarck, ND $116,509

Galveston, TX $116,509

Springfield, OR $116,415

Medford, OR $116,134

Fort Collins, CO $116,087

Austin, TX $115,993

Mesa, AZ $115,747

Phoenix, AZ $115,724

Dallas, TX $115,689

Reading, PA $115,619

Saint Cloud, MN $115,572

Concord, NH $115,466

Madison, WI $115,419

Utica, NY $115,103

Raleigh, NC $115,009

Las Vegas, NV $114,998

Rochester, NY $114,916

Des Moines, IA $114,904

Atlanta, GA $114,717

Battle Creek, MI $114,681

Salt Lake City, UT $114,646

Lancaster, PA $114,470

Champaign, IL $114,447

Harrisburg, PA $114,306

Durham, NC $114,201

Kansas City, MO $114,189

Kansas City, KS $114,166

Fort Worth, TX $114,154

Boca Raton, FL $114,107

Cleveland, OH $114,096

Columbus, OH $114,072

Pittsburgh, PA $114,060

Richmond, VA $114,014

Indianapolis, IN $113,990

Cincinnati, OH $113,838

Petersburg, VA $113,662

Lansing, MI $113,404

Billings, MT $113,404

Huntsville, AL $113,404

Lebanon, PA $113,393

Pueblo, CO $113,381

Dayton, OH $113,381

Appleton, WI $113,346

Buffalo, NY $113,299

Racine, WI $113,240

Charlotte, NC $113,229

Saint Louis, MO $113,194

Springfield, IL $113,147

York, PA $113,123

Elkhart, IN $113,123

Gastonia, NC $113,112

Benton Harbor, MI $113,112

Beaumont, TX $113,041

Lorain, OH $113,018

Toledo, OH $112,971

Binghamton, NY $112,912

Rock Hill, SC $112,901

Rockford, IL $112,842

Elyria, OH $112,783

Fargo, ND $112,783

Flagstaff, AZ $112,701

Fort Lauderdale, FL $112,631

Miami, FL $112,561

Duluth, MN $112,373

Bangor, ME $112,221

Cedar Rapids, IA $112,092

Louisville, KY $112,034

Grand Rapids, MI $112,010

Hialeah, FL $111,999

Casper, WY $111,835

Scranton, PA $111,694

New Orleans, LA $111,659

Virginia Beach, VA $111,647

Akron, OH $111,589

Peoria, IL $111,436

Sarasota, FL $111,413

Green Bay, WI $111,331

Baton Rouge, LA $111,272

Charleston, SC $111,249

Nashville, TN $111,214

Jamestown, NY $111,190

Davenport, IA $111,190

Tucson, AZ $111,132

Cheyenne, WY $111,096

Saint Petersburg, FL $111,061

Tampa, FL $111,038

Omaha, NE $111,014

Evansville, IN $110,968

Port Arthur, TX $110,968

Bradenton, FL $110,921

Santa Fe, NM $110,710

Orlando, FL $110,593

Clearwater, FL $110,464

La Crosse, WI $110,218

Canton, OH $110,218

Grand Forks, ND $110,183

Tulsa, OK $110,148

Albuquerque, NM $110,148

Newport News, VA $110,136

High Point, NC $110,101

Ogden, UT $110,054

Corpus Christi, TX $109,960

Laramie, WY $109,890

Norfolk, VA $109,890

Rock Island, IL $109,820

Saginaw, MI $109,796

Jacksonville, FL $109,784

Salisbury, NC $109,761

Memphis, TN $109,738

Moline, IL $109,679

Fort Myers, FL $109,644

Waterloo, IA $109,491

Spartanburg, SC $109,374

Lincoln, NE $109,316

Fort Wayne, IN $109,292

Birmingham, AL $109,163

Cedar Falls, IA $109,140

Provo, UT $109,128

Springfield, OH $109,117

San Antonio, TX $109,093

Greensboro, NC $109,046

South Bend, IN $109,035

Winston Salem, NC $109,023

Boise, ID $108,988

Savannah, GA $108,906

Muskegon, MI $108,695

Lima, OH $108,554

Lake Charles, LA $108,507

Anderson, IN $108,484

Lexington, KY $108,449

Augusta, GA $108,414

Greenville, SC $108,414

Wichita, KS $108,308

Tuscaloosa, AL $108,308

Columbia, SC $108,203

Bloomington, IN $107,910

Roanoke, VA $107,840

Asheville, NC $107,687

Knoxville, TN $107,488

Shreveport, LA $107,476

Wilmington, NC $107,324

Frankfort, KY $107,102

Oklahoma City, OK $107,020

Chillicothe, OH $106,973

Longview, TX $106,961

Topeka, KS $106,926

Mobile, AL $106,750

Terre Haute, IN $106,703

Erie, PA $106,692

Altoona, PA $106,633

Melbourne, FL $106,598

Amarillo, TX $106,551

Killeen, TX $106,516

Fayetteville, AR $106,422

Sioux Falls, SD $106,340

Chattanooga, TN $106,270

Idaho Falls, ID $106,258

Gainesville, FL $106,012

Portsmouth, OH $105,953

Little Rock, AR $105,930

Lynchburg, VA $105,930

Youngstown, OH $105,883

Lafayette, LA $105,883

Temple, TX $105,836

Daytona Beach, FL $105,813

Clarksville, TN $105,801

Pensacola, FL $105,789

Hopkinsville, KY $105,438

Charleston, WV $105,426

Florence, SC $105,368

Sioux City, IA $105,297

Macon, GA $104,958

Tallahassee, FL $104,946

Fayetteville, NC $104,923

Wichita Falls, TX $104,899

Waco, TX $104,899

Pine Bluff, AR $104,852

Vincennes, IN $104,630

Lubbock, TX $104,583

Great Falls, MT $104,512

Alamogordo, NM $104,501

Abilene, TX $104,407

Rapid City, SD $104,255

Monroe, LA $104,255

Albany, GA $104,184

Huntington, WV $104,173

Jackson, MS $104,161

Greenville, MS $104,149

Parkersburg, WV $104,032

Montgomery, AL $104,009

Johnstown, PA $103,985

Springfield, MO $103,892

Biloxi, MS $103,833

Sumter, SC $103,587

Columbus, GA $103,575

Twin Falls, ID $103,505

Pascagoula, MS $103,353

Kingsport, TN $103,048

Gulfport, MS $103,013

Alexandria, LA $102,626

Fort Smith, AR $102,333

El Paso, TX $102,017

Helena, MT $101,865

Las Cruces, NM $101,490

Harlingen, TX $101,162

Pocatello, ID $101,056

Florence, AL $101,021

Brownsville, TX $100,998

Dothan, AL $100,810

Mcallen, TX $100,752

Columbus, MS $99,885

Altus, OK $99,346

Lawton, OK $99,123

Pierre, SD $98,702

What Skills Can Increase a Testing Lead's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Analysis (Mentioned in 6.11% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
Test Planning (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Test planning is an essential activity of testing, regardless of the project lifecycle approach.
Software Testing (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the software product or service under test. Software testing can also provide an objective, independent view of the software to allow the business to appreciate and understand the risks of software implementation. Test techniques include the process of executing a program or application with the intent of finding software bugs (errors or other defects), and verifying that the software product is fit for use. Software testing involves the execution of a software component or system component to evaluate one or more properties of interest. In general, these properties indicate the extent to which the component or system under test: meets the requirements that guided its design and development, responds correctly to all kinds of inputs, performs its functions within an acceptable time, it is sufficiently usable, can be installed and run in its intended environments, and achieves the general result its stakeholders desire.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Analysis	6.11%
Test Planning	2.37%
Software Testing	1.87%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Testing Lead's salary.

Test Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Test Automation: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Test Strategy: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Test Management	$121,839	4%
Test Automation	$120,668	3%
Test Strategy	$120,668	3%
Collaboration	$120,668	3%
Test Scripts	$120,668	3%
Computer Science	$120,668	3%

Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Testing Lead's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Testing Leads 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 Testing Lead with a Bachelor's Degree is between $110,073 and $114,439).

Testing Lead Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Testing Lead

No Diploma 10.4%

High School 54.2%

Associates 10.4%

Bachelors 54.2%

Masters 35.4%

Doctorate 0.0%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	10.4%
High School	54.2%
Associates	10.4%
Bachelors	54.2%
Masters	35.4%
Doctorate	0.0%

view as graph

Testing Lead Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Testing Lead'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, 2021

$107,512

Average $117,153/year

$124,176

$8,959

Average $9,763/month

$10,348

$2,068

Average $2,253/week

$2,388

$52

Average $56/hour

$60

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$124,176	$10,348	$2,388	$60
Average	$117,153	$9,763	$2,253	$56
25th Percentile	$107,512	$8,959	$2,068	$52

Salaries of jobs related to Testing Lead

Salary Trends for Testing Lead

Salaries for a Testing Lead can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $100,425 in 2023 to around $100,824 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Testing Lead salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Testing Lead Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$100,425

2024

$101,292

2025

$100,824

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$100,425
2024	$101,292
2025	$100,824
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Testing Lead

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

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