Technology Durham, NC Pop. 283,506

QA Engineer Salary in Durham, North Carolina

The median qa engineer salary in Durham, NC is $89,100 per year, which is 1% below the national median and 3.1% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$89,100
vs State Avg
+$2,700
vs National
$-900
Cost of Living
95%

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

Durham offers a median qa engineer salary of $89,100, which is $2,700 above the North Carolina state average of $86,400. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Durham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Durham'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 Durham spans from $54,450 at the 10th percentile to $140,580 at the 90th percentile — a $86,130 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,420, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $133,650. With a population of 283,506, Durham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Durham by Experience

In Durham, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $57,420, while experienced professionals earn up to $133,650 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,420
$-580 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$91,080
$-920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$133,650
$-1,350 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Durham, NC

Percentile Durham
10th Percentile $54,450
25th Percentile $71,280
Median (50th) $89,100
75th Percentile $116,820
90th Percentile $140,580

QA Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

How to Become a QA Engineer in Durham

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Durham

Browse open qa engineer positions in Durham, NC:

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Durham

How much does a QA Engineer make in Durham, NC? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Durham, North Carolina is $89,100 per year, which is 1% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $54,450 (10th percentile) to $140,580 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Durham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $89,100, a qa engineer in Durham earns approximately $43 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Durham compare to the North Carolina state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Durham's median qa engineer salary of $89,100 is 3.1% above the North Carolina state average of $86,400. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Durham, NC? ▼
Durham has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $89,100 in Durham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Durham? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Durham 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.