Software Test Engineer Salary

Average Software Test Engineer Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$96,394 Per Year

Salary Range: $48,388 to $147,755

Software Test Engineer Salary

$48,388

10%

$70,938

25% 

$ 96,394

AVERAGE

$120,768

75%  

$147,755

90%  

How Much Does a Software Test Engineer Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Software Test Engineer is $96,394 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $96,394 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

SAP business and customer relations management software – Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Microsoft Project – Project management software

Autodesk AutoCAD – Computer aided design CAD software

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat – Document management software

Microsoft SharePoint – Cloud-based data access and sharing software

Structured query language SQL – Data base user interface and query software

Knowledge and Expertise

Computers and Electronics

Engineering and Technology

Mathematics

Customer and Personal Service

Administration and Management

Design

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking

Reading Comprehension

Speaking

Programming

Active Listening

Writing

What is the salary range of a Software Test Engineer?

Software Test Engineer salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $96,394 but a Software Test Engineer can earn a base salary anywhere from $48,388 to $147,755 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Software Test Engineer job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Software Test Engineer?

The highest Software Test Engineer salaries in the top 10% earn more than $147,755 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $120,768 and $147,755 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Software Test Engineer?

The lowest Software Test Engineer salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $48,388 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $48,388 and $70,938 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Software Test Engineer?

If we only look at the data for Software Test Engineer salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Software Test Engineer job would be over $96,394 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Software Test Engineer would be anything over the top 75%, which is $120,768 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Software Test Engineer?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Software Test Engineer. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Software Test Engineer?

The top paying industries for a Software Test Engineer job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
  • Information
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises
  • Finance and Insurance
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Software Test Engineer Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Software Test Engineer would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Software Test Engineer, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Software Test Engineer make good money?

 In general, a Software Test Engineer can make a good salary. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is less than the average Software Test Engineer salary, meaning most earn a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Software Test Engineer pay is above the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 147,755 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 48,388 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Software Test Engineer, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Software Test Engineer will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Software Test Engineer?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Software Test Engineer in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Software Test Engineer is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Software Test Engineer?

The money a Software Test Engineer can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Software Test Engineer earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.