Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
The median pay for a software quality assurance analysts and testers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD is $127,940/year ($61.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $180K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.49), that's roughly $122,442 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,857/month, or 24.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $128K get you in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
About software quality assurance analysts and testers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Entry-level software quality assurance analysts and testers (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K.Top earners bring in $180K or more - a $116K spread from bottom to top.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $128K | +25% | 9,220 |
| California | $127K | +24% | 31,530 |
| Virginia | $123K | +20% | 9,880 |
| Maryland | $122K | +19% | 6,340 |
| New Jersey | $112K | +9% | 6,930 |
| District of Columbia | $110K | +7% | 750 |
| New Hampshire | $110K | +7% | 610 |
| New York | $109K | +6% | 11,140 |
| Utah | $107K | +4% | 4,300 |
| Massachusetts | $106K | +3% | 7,650 |
| Delaware | $106K | +3% | 700 |
| New Mexico | $106K | +3% | 400 |
| Minnesota | $105K | +2% | 2,930 |
| Arizona | $104K | +1% | 3,680 |
| Alaska | $103K | +1% | N/A |
Track software quality assurance analysts and testers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baltimore-Columbia-Towson numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Frequently asked questions
How much do software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median is $127,940 a year - that works out to about $61.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,510, and experienced software quality assurance analysts and testers can clear $179,880. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,686/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,857/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 24.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a software quality assurance analysts and testers salary go in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson?
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has a Regional Price Parity of 104.49 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median software quality assurance analysts and testers salary is worth about $122,442 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do software quality assurance analysts and testers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.