Technology Rockford, IL Pop. 148,655

QA Engineer Salary in Rockford, Illinois

The median qa engineer salary in Rockford, IL is $78,300 per year, which is 13% below the national median and 13% below the Illinois state average.

City Median
$78,300
vs State Avg
$-11,700
vs National
$-11,700
Cost of Living
82%

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

Rockford offers a median qa engineer salary of $78,300, which is $11,700 below the Illinois state average of $90,000. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Rockford pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Rockford's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $78,300 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,488 in an average-cost city. This makes Rockford an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Rockford spans from $47,850 at the 10th percentile to $123,540 at the 90th percentile — a $75,690 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $50,460, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,450. With a population of 148,655, Rockford is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Rockford by Experience

In Rockford, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $50,460, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,450 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,460
$-7,540 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,040
$-11,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,450
$-17,550 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rockford, IL

Percentile Rockford
10th Percentile $47,850
25th Percentile $62,640
Median (50th) $78,300
75th Percentile $102,660
90th Percentile $123,540

QA Engineer Salary in Other Illinois Cities

Naperville, IL
$101,700
Pop. 149,540
Chicago, IL
$100,800
Pop. 2,693,976
Aurora, IL
$90,000
Pop. 197,757
Springfield, IL
$81,000
Pop. 114,394

How to Become a QA Engineer in Rockford

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Rockford

Browse open qa engineer positions in Rockford, IL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Rockford

How much does a QA Engineer make in Rockford, IL? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Rockford, Illinois is $78,300 per year, which is 13% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $47,850 (10th percentile) to $123,540 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Rockford? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $78,300, a qa engineer in Rockford earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rockford compare to the Illinois state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Rockford's median qa engineer salary of $78,300 is 13% below the Illinois state average of $90,000. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rockford, IL? ▼
Rockford has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $78,300 in Rockford has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Rockford? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Rockford 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.