Technology Winston-Salem, NC Pop. 249,545

QA Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The median qa engineer salary in Winston-Salem, NC is $81,000 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 6.3% below the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$81,000
vs State Avg
$-5,400
vs National
$-9,000
Cost of Living
86%

QA Engineer Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median qa engineer salary of $81,000, which is $5,400 below the North Carolina state average of $86,400. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $81,000 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $94,186 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Winston-Salem 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. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, 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 86% 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 Winston-Salem, NC

Percentile Winston-Salem
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 North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$91,800
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$91,800
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$89,100
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$82,800
Pop. 299,035

How to Become a QA Engineer in Winston-Salem

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Winston-Salem

Browse open qa engineer positions in Winston-Salem, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a QA Engineer make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $81,000, a qa engineer in Winston-Salem earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Winston-Salem's median qa engineer salary of $81,000 is 6.3% below the North Carolina state average of $86,400. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $81,000 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Winston-Salem? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Winston-Salem 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.