Technology Charleston, WV Pop. 48,006

QA Engineer Salary in Charleston, West Virginia

The median qa engineer salary in Charleston, WV is $72,000 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 5.3% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$72,000
vs State Avg
+$3,600
vs National
$-18,000
Cost of Living
88%

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

Charleston offers a median qa engineer salary of $72,000, which is $3,600 above the West Virginia state average of $68,400. Compared to the national median of $90,000, Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Charleston's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $72,000 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $81,818 in an average-cost city. This makes Charleston an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Charleston spans from $44,000 at the 10th percentile to $113,600 at the 90th percentile — a $69,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $46,400, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $108,000. Charleston is a smaller market (pop. 48,006), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $46,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $108,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,400
$-11,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$73,600
$-18,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$108,000
$-27,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, WV

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $44,000
25th Percentile $57,600
Median (50th) $72,000
75th Percentile $94,400
90th Percentile $113,600

QA Engineer Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$73,800
Pop. 30,955
Huntington, WV
$66,600
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$64,800
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$63,000
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a QA Engineer in Charleston

Education

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

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Charleston

Browse open qa engineer positions in Charleston, WV:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Charleston

How much does a QA Engineer make in Charleston, WV? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Charleston, West Virginia is $72,000 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $44,000 (10th percentile) to $113,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $72,000, a qa engineer in Charleston earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the West Virginia state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Charleston's median qa engineer salary of $72,000 is 5.3% above the West Virginia state average of $68,400. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, WV? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a qa engineer salary of $72,000 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Charleston? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Charleston 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.