QA Engineer Salary in San Diego, CA
Annual base compensation · May 2026 · BLS OES Survey Data
$100,000
▲ 2% YOY
Compensation Distribution
$60,000
10th Pct.
Junior
$75,000
25th Pct.
Entry-level
$100,000
50th Pct.
Median
$135,000
75th Pct.
Senior
$170,000
90th Pct.
Top earner
Open Positions
Find active QA Engineer roles in San Diego
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average QA Engineer salary in San Diego?+
The median QA Engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $100,000 per year as of May 2026. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,000 and $135,000.
What is the entry-level QA Engineer salary in San Diego?+
Entry-level QA Engineer positions in San Diego typically start around $75,000 per year (25th percentile). With 2–4 years of experience, compensation climbs toward the market median of $100,000.
What do senior QA Engineers earn in San Diego?+
Senior QA Engineers in San Diego earn $135,000 at the 75th percentile and up to $170,000 at the 90th percentile, reflecting 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities.
How has the QA Engineer market changed in San Diego?+
Year-over-year salary growth for QA Engineers in San Diego stands at 2% as of May 2026, indicating moderate demand in the local market.
QA Engineer — Other Markets
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $90,000 | $125,000 | $160,000 | +2% |
| New York, NY | $85,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 | +2% |
| Seattle, WA | $80,000 | $105,000 | $140,000 | +2% |
| Boston, MA | $75,000 | $100,000 | $135,000 | +2% |
| Austin, TX | $65,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 | +2% |
| Denver, CO | $65,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 | +2% |
| Chicago, IL | $65,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 | +2% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $80,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 | +2% |
San Diego — Other Roles
| Role | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $120,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 |
| Data Analyst | $75,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 |
| Data Scientist | $105,000 | $140,000 | $185,000 |
| Product Manager | $110,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | $115,000 | $150,000 | $190,000 |
| UX Designer | $80,000 | $110,000 | $145,000 |