Software QA Tester Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median software QA tester in the San Diego area earns $120,210 a year ($57.79 an hour), 15% above the U.S. median ($104,300) and 7% below the California median ($128,740). Half of the 2,280 software QA testers there earn between $87,000 and $142,230.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,380 | $65,890 | $61,440 |
| 25th percentile | $87,000 | $93,530 | $80,310 |
| Median | $120,210 | $128,740 | $104,300 |
| 75th percentile | $142,230 | $165,530 | $133,180 |
| 90th percentile | $169,350 | $201,070 | $167,010 |
| Average | $118,760 | $131,260 | $111,490 |
| Jobs | 2,280 | 27,710 | 186,740 |
San Diego, CA ranks 10th for software QA tester pay among the 49 of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas where it is published. Highest: San Jose, CA ($166,530).
Paid less than $120,210? That gap, with its source, is the strongest line in a raise request. Check your pay for your level in 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
Check my paySoftware QA tester pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $166,530
- San Francisco, CA: $134,630
- Los Angeles, CA: $122,210
- New York, NY: $130,540
- Baltimore, MD: $129,880
- Seattle, WA: $129,690
- Washington, DC: $126,350
- Denver, CO: $123,690
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
- Software Developer: $163,270
- Web Developer: $98,300
- IT Support Specialist: $74,020
- Computer Systems Analyst: $119,090
- Network Administrator: $105,170
- Information Security Analyst: $132,120
- All jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.