Technology Hilo, HI Pop. 45,703

QA Engineer Salary in Hilo, Hawaii

The median qa engineer salary in Hilo, HI is $132,300 per year, which is 47.0% above the national median and 10.9% below the Hawaii state average.

City Median
$132,300
vs State Avg
$-16,200
vs National
+$42,300
Cost of Living
152%

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

Hilo offers a median qa engineer salary of $132,300, which is $16,200 below the Hawaii state average of $148,500. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Hilo pays above average for this role.

However, Hilo's cost of living index is 152%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $132,300 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $87,039. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Hilo should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in Hilo spans from $80,850 at the 10th percentile to $208,740 at the 90th percentile — a $127,890 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $85,260, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $198,450. Hilo is a smaller market (pop. 45,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Hilo by Experience

In Hilo, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $85,260, while experienced professionals earn up to $198,450 per year. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$85,260
+$27,260 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$135,240
+$43,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$198,450
+$63,450 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Hilo, HI

Percentile Hilo
10th Percentile $80,850
25th Percentile $105,840
Median (50th) $132,300
75th Percentile $173,460
90th Percentile $208,740

QA Engineer Salary in Other Hawaii Cities

Honolulu, HI
$153,000
Pop. 350,964
Kailua, HI
$148,500
Pop. 38,635
Pearl City, HI
$146,700
Pop. 47,698
Waipahu, HI
$141,300
Pop. 38,216

How to Become a QA Engineer in Hilo

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Hilo

Browse open qa engineer positions in Hilo, HI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Hilo

How much does a QA Engineer make in Hilo, HI? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Hilo, Hawaii is $132,300 per year, which is 47.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $80,850 (10th percentile) to $208,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Hilo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $132,300, a qa engineer in Hilo earns approximately $64 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Hilo compare to the Hawaii state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Hilo's median qa engineer salary of $132,300 is 10.9% below the Hawaii state average of $148,500. The local cost of living index is 152% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Hilo, HI? ▼
Hilo has a cost of living index of 152% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $132,300 in Hilo has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Hilo? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Hilo 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.