Role comparison
QA Engineer vs Software Engineer salary
Who earns more—a QA Engineer or Software Engineer? This page compares mid-level gross salary bands in United States using our static 2026 model, not live job board scrapes.
Figures use Toolminator's static salary model (ranges for comparison, not job listings). Methodology & limitations.
| Role | Mid-level range (USD) | USD equivalent (mid) |
|---|---|---|
| QA Engineer | $83,790–$104,272 | $94,031 |
| Software Engineer | $110,000–$145,000 | $127,500 |
In our static United States model, mid-level Software Engineer averages about 36% more than qa engineer on a USD-equivalent basis—not a live offer or payroll feed.
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