Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary
The median pay for a software quality assurance analysts and testers in Massachusetts is $122,210/year ($58.76/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $68K at the entry level to $168K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $122,100 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 31.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $122K get you in Massachusetts?
About software quality assurance analysts and testers
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for software quality assurance analysts and testers, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $104K. Rent runs $2,347/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level software quality assurance analysts and testers (10th percentile) start around $68K. Mid-career wages sit at $122K. Top earners bring in $168K or more, a $100K spread from bottom to top.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary by metro in Massachusetts
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $122K | +0% | 6,050 |
| Worcester | $107K | -12% | 220 |
| Springfield | $103K | -16% | 70 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a software quality assurance analysts and tester afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $122K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $2,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new software quality assurance analysts and testers typically earn — is $68K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,083/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 57% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is software quality assurance analysts and tester a high-paying job in Massachusetts?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $122K here vs. $104K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for software quality assurance analysts and testers?
Massachusetts pays $122K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $122K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Massachusetts?
The median is $122,210 a year, that works out to about $59 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $68,050, and experienced software quality assurance analysts and testers can clear $168,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $122K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,348/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 31.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a software quality assurance analysts and testers salary go in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $122,100 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.