Technology Charlotte, NC Pop. 874,579

QA Engineer Salary in Charlotte, North Carolina

The median qa engineer salary in Charlotte, NC is $91,800 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 6.3% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$91,800
vs State Avg
+$5,400
vs National
+$1,800
Cost of Living
98%

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

Charlotte offers a median qa engineer salary of $91,800, which is $5,400 above the North Carolina state average of $86,400. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Charlotte pays above average for this role.

Charlotte's cost of living is 98% 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 Charlotte spans from $56,100 at the 10th percentile to $144,840 at the 90th percentile — a $88,740 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,160, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $137,700. As a major metro area with a population of 874,579, Charlotte typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in Charlotte by Experience

In Charlotte, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $59,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $137,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,160
+$1,160 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$93,840
+$1,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$137,700
+$2,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charlotte, NC

Percentile Charlotte
10th Percentile $56,100
25th Percentile $73,440
Median (50th) $91,800
75th Percentile $120,360
90th Percentile $144,840

QA Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Raleigh, NC
$91,800
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$89,100
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$82,800
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$81,000
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a QA Engineer in Charlotte

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Charlotte

Browse open qa engineer positions in Charlotte, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Charlotte

How much does a QA Engineer make in Charlotte, NC? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Charlotte, North Carolina is $91,800 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $56,100 (10th percentile) to $144,840 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Charlotte? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,800, a qa engineer in Charlotte earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charlotte compare to the North Carolina state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Charlotte's median qa engineer salary of $91,800 is 6.3% above the North Carolina state average of $86,400. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charlotte, NC? ▼
Charlotte has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $91,800 in Charlotte has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Charlotte? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Charlotte 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.