QA Engineer Salary in Owensboro, KY: $70,200 (2026)

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

Owensboro offers a median qa engineer salary of $70,200, which is $4,500 below the Kentucky state average of $74,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Owensboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Owensboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $70,200 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $85,610 in an average-cost city. This makes Owensboro an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Owensboro spans from $42,900 at the 10th percentile to $110,760 at the 90th percentile — a $67,860 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,240, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $105,300. Owensboro is a smaller market (pop. 60,183), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Owensboro by Experience

In Owensboro, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $45,240, while experienced professionals earn up to $105,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$45,240

$-12,760 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$71,760

$-20,240 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$105,300

$-29,700 vs national

Percentile	Owensboro	KY State	National
10th Percentile	$42,900	$45,650	$55,000
25th Percentile	$56,160	$59,760	$72,000
Median (50th)	$70,200	$74,700	$90,000
75th Percentile	$92,040	$97,940	$118,000
90th Percentile	$110,760	$117,860	$142,000

Percentile

Owensboro

10th Percentile

$42,900

25th Percentile

$56,160

Median (50th)

$70,200

75th Percentile

$92,040

90th Percentile

$110,760

How to Become a QA Engineer in Owensboro

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Owensboro

How much does a QA Engineer make in Owensboro, KY? ▼

The median qa engineer salary in Owensboro, Kentucky is $70,200 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $42,900 (10th percentile) to $110,760 (90th percentile).

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

Based on the median annual salary of $70,200, a qa engineer in Owensboro earns approximately $34 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Owensboro compare to the Kentucky state average for qa engineer pay? ▼

Owensboro's median qa engineer salary of $70,200 is 6% below the Kentucky state average of $74,700. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Owensboro, KY? ▼

Owensboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $70,200 in Owensboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

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

Most qa engineer positions in Owensboro 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 Owensboro, Kentucky