Technology Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

QA Engineer Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median qa engineer salary in Athens, GA is $83,700 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$83,700
vs State Avg
$-2,700
vs National
$-6,300
Cost of Living
90%

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

Athens offers a median qa engineer salary of $83,700, which is $2,700 below the Georgia state average of $86,400. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for qa engineers in Athens spans from $51,150 at the 10th percentile to $132,060 at the 90th percentile — a $80,910 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,940, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $125,550. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $53,940, while experienced professionals earn up to $125,550 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,940
$-4,060 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$85,560
$-6,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$125,550
$-9,450 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
10th Percentile $51,150
25th Percentile $66,960
Median (50th) $83,700
75th Percentile $109,740
90th Percentile $132,060

QA Engineer Salary in Other Georgia Cities

How to Become a QA Engineer in Athens

Education

Most qa engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Athens and the surrounding Georgia 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 Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Athens

Browse open qa engineer positions in Athens, GA:

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Athens

How much does a QA Engineer make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Athens, Georgia is $83,700 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $51,150 (10th percentile) to $132,060 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,700, a qa engineer in Athens earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Athens's median qa engineer salary of $83,700 is 3.1% below the Georgia state average of $86,400. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $83,700 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Athens? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Athens 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.