Technology Columbia, SC Pop. 131,674

QA Engineer Salary in Columbia, South Carolina

The median qa engineer salary in Columbia, SC is $79,200 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the South Carolina state average.

City Median
$79,200
vs State Avg
+$900
vs National
$-10,800
Cost of Living
90%

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

Columbia offers a median qa engineer salary of $79,200, which is $900 above the South Carolina state average of $78,300. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Columbia's cost of living is 90% 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 Columbia spans from $48,400 at the 10th percentile to $124,960 at the 90th percentile — a $76,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,040, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $118,800. With a population of 131,674, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $51,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $118,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,040
$-6,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$80,960
$-11,040 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$118,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, SC

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $48,400
25th Percentile $63,360
Median (50th) $79,200
75th Percentile $103,840
90th Percentile $124,960

QA Engineer Salary in Other South Carolina Cities

Mount Pleasant, SC
$92,700
Pop. 94,171
Charleston, SC
$88,200
Pop. 150,227
North Charleston, SC
$83,700
Pop. 115,382
Greenville, SC
$81,000
Pop. 72,095

How to Become a QA Engineer in Columbia

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open qa engineer positions in Columbia, SC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a QA Engineer make in Columbia, SC? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Columbia, South Carolina is $79,200 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $48,400 (10th percentile) to $124,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,200, a qa engineer in Columbia earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the South Carolina state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median qa engineer salary of $79,200 is 1.1% above the South Carolina state average of $78,300. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, SC? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $79,200 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Columbia 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.