Technology Seattle, WA Pop. 737,015

QA Engineer Salary in Seattle, Washington

The median qa engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $144,000 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median and 26.0% above the Washington state average.

City Median
$144,000
vs State Avg
+$29,700
vs National
+$54,000
Cost of Living
148%

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

Seattle offers a median qa engineer salary of $144,000, which is $29,700 above the Washington state average of $114,300. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Seattle pays above average for this role.

However, Seattle's cost of living index is 148%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $144,000 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $97,297. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Seattle should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in Seattle spans from $88,000 at the 10th percentile to $227,200 at the 90th percentile — a $139,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $92,800, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $216,000. As a major metro area with a population of 737,015, Seattle typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

QA Engineer Salary in Seattle by Experience

In Seattle, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $92,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $216,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$92,800
+$34,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$147,200
+$55,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$216,000
+$81,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Seattle, WA

Percentile Seattle
10th Percentile $88,000
25th Percentile $115,200
Median (50th) $144,000
75th Percentile $188,800
90th Percentile $227,200

QA Engineer Salary in Other Washington Cities

Bellevue, WA
$147,600
Pop. 151,854
Tacoma, WA
$109,800
Pop. 219,346
Vancouver, WA
$102,600
Pop. 190,915
Spokane, WA
$93,600
Pop. 228,989

How to Become a QA Engineer in Seattle

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Seattle

Browse open qa engineer positions in Seattle, WA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Seattle

How much does a QA Engineer make in Seattle, WA? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Seattle, Washington is $144,000 per year, which is 60.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $88,000 (10th percentile) to $227,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Seattle? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $144,000, a qa engineer in Seattle earns approximately $69 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Seattle compare to the Washington state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Seattle's median qa engineer salary of $144,000 is 26.0% above the Washington state average of $114,300. The local cost of living index is 148% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Seattle, WA? ▼
Seattle has a cost of living index of 148% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $144,000 in Seattle has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Seattle? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Seattle 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.