QA Engineer Salary in Kailua, HI: $148,500 (2026)

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

Kailua offers a median qa engineer salary of $148,500, which is $0 above the Hawaii state average of $148,500. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Kailua pays above average for this role.

However, Kailua's cost of living index is 170%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $148,500 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $87,353. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Kailua should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in Kailua spans from $90,750 at the 10th percentile to $234,300 at the 90th percentile — a $143,550 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $95,700, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $222,750. Kailua is a smaller market (pop. 38,635), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Kailua by Experience

In Kailua, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $95,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $222,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 170% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$95,700

+$37,700 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$151,800

+$59,800 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$222,750

+$87,750 vs national

Percentile	Kailua	HI State	National
10th Percentile	$90,750	$90,750	$55,000
25th Percentile	$118,800	$118,800	$72,000
Median (50th)	$148,500	$148,500	$90,000
75th Percentile	$194,700	$194,700	$118,000
90th Percentile	$234,300	$234,300	$142,000

Percentile

Kailua

10th Percentile

$90,750

25th Percentile

$118,800

Median (50th)

$148,500

75th Percentile

$194,700

90th Percentile

$234,300

How to Become a QA Engineer in Kailua

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Kailua

How much does a QA Engineer make in Kailua, HI? ▼

The median qa engineer salary in Kailua, Hawaii is $148,500 per year, which is 65.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $90,750 (10th percentile) to $234,300 (90th percentile).

How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Kailua? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $148,500, a qa engineer in Kailua earns approximately $71 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Kailua compare to the Hawaii state average for qa engineer pay? ▼

Kailua's median qa engineer salary of $148,500 is 0.0% above the Hawaii state average of $148,500. The local cost of living index is 170% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Kailua, HI? ▼

Kailua has a cost of living index of 170% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $148,500 in Kailua has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Kailua? ▼

Most qa engineer positions in Kailua 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.

QA Engineer Salary in Kailua, Hawaii