Technology Brookings, SD Pop. 24,194

QA Engineer Salary in Brookings, South Dakota

The median qa engineer salary in Brookings, SD is $72,900 per year, which is 19% below the national median and 2.4% below the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$72,900
vs State Avg
$-1,800
vs National
$-17,100
Cost of Living
86%

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

Brookings offers a median qa engineer salary of $72,900, which is $1,800 below the South Dakota state average of $74,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $72,900 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $84,767 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Brookings spans from $44,550 at the 10th percentile to $115,020 at the 90th percentile — a $70,470 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $46,980, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $109,350. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Brookings by Experience

In Brookings, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $46,980, while experienced professionals earn up to $109,350 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,980
$-11,020 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$74,520
$-17,480 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$109,350
$-25,650 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD

Percentile Brookings
10th Percentile $44,550
25th Percentile $58,320
Median (50th) $72,900
75th Percentile $95,580
90th Percentile $115,020

QA Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$78,300
Pop. 192,517
Rapid City, SD
$76,500
Pop. 74,703
Aberdeen, SD
$71,100
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$69,300
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a QA Engineer in Brookings

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Brookings

Browse open qa engineer positions in Brookings, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Brookings

How much does a QA Engineer make in Brookings, SD? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Brookings, South Dakota is $72,900 per year, which is 19% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $44,550 (10th percentile) to $115,020 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Brookings? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $72,900, a qa engineer in Brookings earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Brookings compare to the South Dakota state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Brookings's median qa engineer salary of $72,900 is 2.4% below the South Dakota state average of $74,700. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Brookings, SD? ▼
Brookings has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $72,900 in Brookings has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Brookings? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Brookings 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.