Technology San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

QA Engineer Salary in San Francisco, California

The median qa engineer salary in San Francisco, CA is $177,300 per year, which is 97.0% above the national median and 28.8% above the California state average.

City Median
$177,300
vs State Avg
+$39,600
vs National
+$87,300
Cost of Living
182%

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

San Francisco offers a median qa engineer salary of $177,300, which is $39,600 above the California state average of $137,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, San Francisco pays above average for this role.

However, San Francisco's cost of living index is 182%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $177,300 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $97,418. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Francisco should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in San Francisco spans from $108,350 at the 10th percentile to $279,740 at the 90th percentile — a $171,390 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $114,260, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $265,950. As a major metro area with a population of 873,965, San Francisco typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $114,260, while experienced professionals earn up to $265,950 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$114,260
+$56,260 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$181,240
+$89,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$265,950
+$130,950 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $108,350
25th Percentile $141,840
Median (50th) $177,300
75th Percentile $232,460
90th Percentile $279,740

QA Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

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

How to Become a QA Engineer in San Francisco

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open qa engineer positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in San Francisco

How much does a QA Engineer make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in San Francisco, California is $177,300 per year, which is 97.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $108,350 (10th percentile) to $279,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $177,300, a qa engineer in San Francisco earns approximately $85 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
San Francisco's median qa engineer salary of $177,300 is 28.8% above the California state average of $137,700. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $177,300 in San Francisco 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 Francisco? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in San Francisco 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.