Technology Columbus, GA Pop. 206,922

QA Engineer Salary in Columbus, Georgia

The median qa engineer salary in Columbus, GA is $80,100 per year, which is 11% below the national median and 7.3% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$80,100
vs State Avg
$-6,300
vs National
$-9,900
Cost of Living
86%

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

Columbus offers a median qa engineer salary of $80,100, which is $6,300 below the Georgia state average of $86,400. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbus's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $80,100 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $93,140 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbus an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Columbus spans from $48,950 at the 10th percentile to $126,380 at the 90th percentile — a $77,430 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,620, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,150. With a population of 206,922, Columbus is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $51,620, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,150 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,620
$-6,380 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,880
$-10,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,150
$-14,850 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, GA

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $48,950
25th Percentile $64,080
Median (50th) $80,100
75th Percentile $105,020
90th Percentile $126,380

QA Engineer Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$94,500
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$85,500
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$83,700
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$81,900
Pop. 202,081

How to Become a QA Engineer in Columbus

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Columbus

Browse open qa engineer positions in Columbus, GA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Columbus

How much does a QA Engineer make in Columbus, GA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Columbus, Georgia is $80,100 per year, which is 11% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $48,950 (10th percentile) to $126,380 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,100, a qa engineer in Columbus earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Georgia state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Columbus's median qa engineer salary of $80,100 is 7.3% below the Georgia state average of $86,400. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, GA? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $80,100 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Columbus? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Columbus 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.