Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary
The median pay for a software quality assurance analysts and testers in Virginia is $121,590/year ($58.46/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $79K at the entry level to $169K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $128,273 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 22.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $122K get you in Virginia?
About software quality assurance analysts and testers
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What this looks like in Virginia
Virginia 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. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,646/month, 22.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Virginia offers a genuinely strong financial position for software quality assurance analysts and testerss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level software quality assurance analysts and testers (10th percentile) start around $79K. Mid-career wages sit at $122K. Top earners bring in $169K or more, a $90K spread from bottom to top.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary by metro in Virginia
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $111K | -9% | 130 |
| Richmond | $106K | -13% | 720 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $106K | -13% | 720 |
| Lynchburg | $102K | -16% | 50 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $102K | -17% | 60 |
| Roanoke | $100K | -18% | 80 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a software quality assurance analysts and tester afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $122K, rent takes 22.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new software quality assurance analysts and testers typically earn — is $79K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,729/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Virginia?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $122K here vs. $104K nationally.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for software quality assurance analysts and testers?
Virginia pays $122K median vs. the U.S. average of $104K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $128K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Virginia?
The median is $121,590 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,820, and experienced software quality assurance analysts and testers can clear $169,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $122K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,282/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 22.6% 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 Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median software quality assurance analysts and testers salary is worth about $128,273 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.