Technology Albuquerque, NM Pop. 564,559

QA Engineer Salary in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The median qa engineer salary in Albuquerque, NM is $85,500 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 2.2% above the New Mexico state average.

City Median
$85,500
vs State Avg
+$1,800
vs National
$-4,500
Cost of Living
95%

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

Albuquerque offers a median qa engineer salary of $85,500, which is $1,800 above the New Mexico state average of $83,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Albuquerque pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Albuquerque's cost of living is 95% 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 Albuquerque spans from $52,250 at the 10th percentile to $134,900 at the 90th percentile — a $82,650 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,100, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $128,250. As a major metro area with a population of 564,559, Albuquerque typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in Albuquerque by Experience

In Albuquerque, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $55,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $128,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,100
$-2,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$87,400
$-4,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$128,250
$-6,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Albuquerque, NM

Percentile Albuquerque
10th Percentile $52,250
25th Percentile $68,400
Median (50th) $85,500
75th Percentile $112,100
90th Percentile $134,900

QA Engineer Salary in Other New Mexico Cities

Santa Fe, NM
$99,000
Pop. 87,505
Rio Rancho, NM
$82,800
Pop. 104,046
Las Cruces, NM
$79,200
Pop. 111,385
Roswell, NM
$73,800
Pop. 48,422

How to Become a QA Engineer in Albuquerque

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Albuquerque

Browse open qa engineer positions in Albuquerque, NM:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Albuquerque

How much does a QA Engineer make in Albuquerque, NM? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Albuquerque, New Mexico is $85,500 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $52,250 (10th percentile) to $134,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Albuquerque? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,500, a qa engineer in Albuquerque earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Albuquerque compare to the New Mexico state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Albuquerque's median qa engineer salary of $85,500 is 2.2% above the New Mexico state average of $83,700. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Albuquerque, NM? ▼
Albuquerque has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $85,500 in Albuquerque has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Albuquerque? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Albuquerque 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.