Technology San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

QA Engineer Salary in San Jose, California

The median qa engineer salary in San Jose, CA is $164,700 per year, which is 83.0% above the national median and 19.6% above the California state average.

City Median
$164,700
vs State Avg
+$27,000
vs National
+$74,700
Cost of Living
168%

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

San Jose offers a median qa engineer salary of $164,700, which is $27,000 above the California state average of $137,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, San Jose pays above average for this role.

However, San Jose's cost of living index is 168%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $164,700 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $98,036. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Jose should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in San Jose spans from $100,650 at the 10th percentile to $259,860 at the 90th percentile — a $159,210 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $106,140, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $247,050. As a major metro area with a population of 1,013,240, San Jose typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $106,140, while experienced professionals earn up to $247,050 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$106,140
+$48,140 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$168,360
+$76,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$247,050
+$112,050 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $100,650
25th Percentile $131,760
Median (50th) $164,700
75th Percentile $215,940
90th Percentile $259,860

QA Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$177,300
Pop. 873,965
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 Jose

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in San Jose

Browse open qa engineer positions in San Jose, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in San Jose

How much does a QA Engineer make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in San Jose, California is $164,700 per year, which is 83.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $100,650 (10th percentile) to $259,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $164,700, a qa engineer in San Jose earns approximately $79 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
San Jose's median qa engineer salary of $164,700 is 19.6% above the California state average of $137,700. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $164,700 in San Jose 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 Jose? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in San Jose 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.