Technology Sacramento, CA Pop. 524,943

QA Engineer Salary in Sacramento, California

The median qa engineer salary in Sacramento, CA is $119,700 per year, which is 33.0% above the national median and 13.1% below the California state average.

City Median
$119,700
vs State Avg
$-18,000
vs National
+$29,700
Cost of Living
118%

QA Engineer Pay in Sacramento: What to Expect (2026)

Sacramento offers a median qa engineer salary of $119,700, which is $18,000 below the California state average of $137,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Sacramento pays above average for this role.

However, Sacramento's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $119,700 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $101,441. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Sacramento should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in Sacramento spans from $73,150 at the 10th percentile to $188,860 at the 90th percentile — a $115,710 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $77,140, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $179,550. As a major metro area with a population of 524,943, Sacramento typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in Sacramento by Experience

In Sacramento, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $77,140, while experienced professionals earn up to $179,550 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$77,140
+$19,140 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$122,360
+$30,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$179,550
+$44,550 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Sacramento, CA

Percentile Sacramento
10th Percentile $73,150
25th Percentile $95,760
Median (50th) $119,700
75th Percentile $156,940
90th Percentile $188,860

QA Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$177,300
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$164,700
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$144,900
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$141,300
Pop. 1,386,932

How to Become a QA Engineer in Sacramento

Education

Most qa engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Sacramento and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Sacramento may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Sacramento

Browse open qa engineer positions in Sacramento, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Sacramento

How much does a QA Engineer make in Sacramento, CA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Sacramento, California is $119,700 per year, which is 33.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $73,150 (10th percentile) to $188,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Sacramento? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $119,700, a qa engineer in Sacramento earns approximately $58 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Sacramento compare to the California state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Sacramento's median qa engineer salary of $119,700 is 13.1% below the California state average of $137,700. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Sacramento, CA? ▼
Sacramento has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $119,700 in Sacramento has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Sacramento? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Sacramento require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.