Technology Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

QA Engineer Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median qa engineer salary in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh: What to Expect (2026)

Raleigh 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, Raleigh pays above average for this role.

Raleigh'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 Raleigh 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. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, 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 Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
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

How to Become a QA Engineer in Raleigh

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open qa engineer positions in Raleigh, NC:

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Raleigh

How much does a QA Engineer make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Raleigh, 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 Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,800, a qa engineer in Raleigh earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Raleigh'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 Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $91,800 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Raleigh? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Raleigh 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.