How Much Does a QA Engineer Earn After Taxes?
National median: $98,000/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $77,329/year take-home — 21.1% effective rate.
QA Engineer Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $60,000 | $50,249 | $4,187 | 16.3% |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $61,852 | $5,154 | 18.6% |
| MedianBLS Median | $98,000 | $77,329 | $6,444 | 21.1% |
| 75th Percentile | $128,000 | $98,241 | $8,187 | 23.2% |
| 90th Percentile | $162,000 | $121,480 | $10,123 | 25.0% |
| Senior Level | $140,000 | $106,443 | $8,870 | 24.0% |
QA Engineer Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $120,295 | $84,162 | $7,014 | 30.0% |
| Washington | $111,720 | $86,981 | $7,248 | 22.1% |
| Texas | $106,085 | $83,017 | $6,918 | 21.7% |
| New York | $129,115 | $92,234 | $7,686 | 28.6% |
| Colorado | $109,025 | $80,288 | $6,691 | 26.4% |
About This Career
QA engineers design test frameworks, write automated test suites, and ensure software meets quality standards before release. The shift toward test automation and DevOps integration has elevated the role from manual testing to engineering-adjacent positions requiring programming skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average QA Engineer salary in the US?+
The national median QA Engineer salary is $98,000 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,000 and $128,000, while the top 10% earn over $162,000.
How much does a QA Engineer take home after taxes?+
A QA Engineer earning the median $98,000 takes home approximately $77,329 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do QA Engineers earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for QA Engineers are California, Washington, Texas. Top cities include San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, where salaries can exceed $128,000 for experienced professionals.