QA Engineer Salary in Kansas City, KS: $76,500 (2026)

QA Engineer Pay in Kansas City: What to Expect (2026)

Kansas City offers a median qa engineer salary of $76,500, which is $900 above the Kansas state average of $75,600. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Kansas City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Kansas City's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $76,500 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $86,932 in an average-cost city. This makes Kansas City an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Kansas City spans from $46,750 at the 10th percentile to $120,700 at the 90th percentile — a $73,950 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,300, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,750. With a population of 156,607, Kansas City is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Kansas City by Experience

In Kansas City, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $49,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$49,300

$-8,700 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$78,200

$-13,800 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$114,750

$-20,250 vs national

Percentile	Kansas City	KS State	National
10th Percentile	$46,750	$46,200	$55,000
25th Percentile	$61,200	$60,480	$72,000
Median (50th)	$76,500	$75,600	$90,000
75th Percentile	$100,300	$99,120	$118,000
90th Percentile	$120,700	$119,280	$142,000

Percentile

Kansas City

10th Percentile

$46,750

25th Percentile

$61,200

Median (50th)

$76,500

75th Percentile

$100,300

90th Percentile

$120,700

How to Become a QA Engineer in Kansas City

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Kansas City

How much does a QA Engineer make in Kansas City, KS? ▼

The median qa engineer salary in Kansas City, Kansas is $76,500 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $46,750 (10th percentile) to $120,700 (90th percentile).

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

Based on the median annual salary of $76,500, a qa engineer in Kansas City earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Kansas City compare to the Kansas state average for qa engineer pay? ▼

Kansas City's median qa engineer salary of $76,500 is 1.2% above the Kansas state average of $75,600. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Kansas City, KS? ▼

Kansas City has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $76,500 in Kansas City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most qa engineer positions in Kansas City 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 Kansas City, Kansas