Technology Helena, MT Pop. 32,315

QA Engineer Salary in Helena, Montana

The median qa engineer salary in Helena, MT is $81,000 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 1.1% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$81,000
vs State Avg
$-900
vs National
$-9,000
Cost of Living
94%

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

Helena offers a median qa engineer salary of $81,000, which is $900 below the Montana state average of $81,900. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for qa engineers in Helena spans from $49,500 at the 10th percentile to $127,800 at the 90th percentile — a $78,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,200, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $121,500. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $52,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $121,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,200
$-5,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,800
$-9,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$121,500
$-13,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Helena, MT

Percentile Helena
10th Percentile $49,500
25th Percentile $64,800
Median (50th) $81,000
75th Percentile $106,200
90th Percentile $127,800

QA Engineer Salary in Other Montana Cities

How to Become a QA Engineer in Helena

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Helena

Browse open qa engineer positions in Helena, MT:

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Helena

How much does a QA Engineer make in Helena, MT? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Helena, Montana is $81,000 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $49,500 (10th percentile) to $127,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Helena? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $81,000, a qa engineer in Helena earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Helena's median qa engineer salary of $81,000 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $81,900. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT? ▼
Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $81,000 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Helena? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Helena 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.