Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers vs. Software Developers: Who Earns More?

Software Developers out-earn Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers by $32K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers land at $104,300 and Software Developers at $135,980. The education gap is real: software quality assurance analysts and tester programs typically require bachelor's degree, while software developer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers is California ($128,740); for Software Developers it's California ($174,410).

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Software Developers
Median salary
$104,300
$135,980
Hourly rate
$50.14/hr
$65.38/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$61,440
$82,460
Senior level (90th %)
$167,010
$214,670
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
186,740
1,687,890
Job growth (10-year)
10%
15.8%
Category
Technology
Technology
Top-paying state
California
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers median pay.

State
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Software Developers
California
$128,740
$174,410
Washington
$128,480
$166,540
Colorado
$123,690
$138,390
Massachusetts
$122,210
$165,210
Virginia
$121,590
$136,460
New York
$121,240
$166,180
New Jersey
$119,470
$135,940
Maryland
$111,100
$138,680
Oregon
$108,440
$142,720
New Hampshire
$107,100
$139,720
Delaware
$106,060
$133,020
District of Columbia
$103,340
$136,880
Texas
$101,850
$132,150
North Carolina
$100,390
$134,710
Connecticut
$97,740
$134,120

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers or Software Developers?

Software Developers earn more nationally. The median is $104,300 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers versus $135,980 for Software Developers, a difference of $32K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers or Software Developers?

Software Developers has the better 10-year outlook at 15.8% projected growth, compared to 10% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers or Software Developers?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers typically requires bachelor's degree. Software Developers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers at $128,740/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers vs. Software Developers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earn $128,740 vs. $174,410 for Software Developers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary breakdownView →Full Software Developers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Software Developers by take-home payExplore →How to become a software quality assurance analysts and testersGuide →How to become a software developersGuide →