Technology San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

QA Engineer Salary in San Diego, California

The median qa engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $141,300 per year, which is 57.0% above the national median and 2.6% above the California state average.

City Median
$141,300
vs State Avg
+$3,600
vs National
+$51,300
Cost of Living
142%

QA Engineer Pay in San Diego: What to Expect (2026)

San Diego offers a median qa engineer salary of $141,300, which is $3,600 above the California state average of $137,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, San Diego pays above average for this role.

However, San Diego's cost of living index is 142%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $141,300 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $99,507. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Diego should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in San Diego spans from $86,350 at the 10th percentile to $222,940 at the 90th percentile — a $136,590 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $91,060, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $211,950. As a major metro area with a population of 1,386,932, San Diego typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $91,060, while experienced professionals earn up to $211,950 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$91,060
+$33,060 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$144,440
+$52,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$211,950
+$76,950 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $86,350
25th Percentile $113,040
Median (50th) $141,300
75th Percentile $185,260
90th Percentile $222,940

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
Sacramento, CA
$119,700
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a QA Engineer in San Diego

Education

Most qa engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. San Diego 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 San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Browse open qa engineer positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in San Diego

How much does a QA Engineer make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in San Diego, California is $141,300 per year, which is 57.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $86,350 (10th percentile) to $222,940 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $141,300, a qa engineer in San Diego earns approximately $68 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
San Diego's median qa engineer salary of $141,300 is 2.6% above the California state average of $137,700. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $141,300 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in San Diego? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in San Diego 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.