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2026 Salary Data — Austin, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

QA Engineer Salary in Austin: $106K Median

QA Engineers in Austin, TX earn between $69K and $175K per year.

That's +15% above the US national median of $92,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median QA Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $105,800 per year — +15% above the US national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $68,770 (entry, 25th percentile) to $174,570 (90th percentile). QA Engineers in Austin earned approximately $17,065 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$105,800
+520.0% YoY · $8,817/mo
Entry
$82,524
0–2 years
Experienced
$139,656
5+ years
Top 10%
$174,570
Senior/lead
QA Engineer Salary — Austin vs Nearby
Austin
$106K
Houston
$97K
+10% vs Austin
San Antonio
$86K
+24% vs Austin
Dallas
$97K
+10% vs Austin

Free ATS scan · Austin employers · Results in 60 seconds

About QA Engineers in Austin

QA engineers ensure software quality through automated and manual testing. They build test frameworks, write integration tests, and prevent regressions from reaching production.

Core Responsibilities

  • Write automated tests (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright)
  • Design test plans and strategies
  • Perform regression and smoke testing
  • Build CI/CD test pipelines
  • Track and triage defects

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable)

In-demand certifications

ISTQB FoundationCertified Software Tester (CSTE)Selenium WebDriver

Austin Job Market

Texas tech capital with major Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and startup presence.

Population
974K
Cost of Living
119
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$510K

Top Industries in Austin

TechGovernmentEducationHealthcareMusic/Entertainment

Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers

Major employers active in Austin or hiring remotely from this metro.

Microsoft
Google
Amazon
Salesforce
Oracle
Adobe
Cisco
Capgemini

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying QA Engineer listings.

PlaywrightCypressAPI testingCI/CD test pipelinesAI-assisted testingperformance testing

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

SeleniumCypressPlaywrighttest automationJIRACI/CDAPI testingPostmanregression testingagile
Career Outlook
+10% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums.

QA Engineer Salary Breakdown — Austin

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$68,770$105,800$174,570
Monthly$5,731$8,817$14,548
Weekly$1,323$2,035$3,357
Hourly$33$51$84

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($92,000) adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

QA Engineer Take-Home Pay in Austin

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$82,728.3
Per month$6,894
Biweekly paycheck$3,182
Effective tax rate21.8%

Tax Breakdown on $105,800

Gross salary$105,800
Federal income tax−$14,978
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,093.7
Take-home (net)$82,728.3

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

QA Engineer Salary by Experience — Austin

Career-stage progression for QA Engineers in Austin.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$75,922
2–3 yr$82,524
4–6 yr$111,090
7–10 yr$139,656
11–15 yr$164,794
15+ yr$157,113

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Austin's 1.15× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,065
2026 median:$105,800
Change:+$88,735

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Playwright and Cypress.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$88,908
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your QA Engineer Salary in Austin

Walk-away anchor: $92,000 (offers below this are below market for Austin).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $140K–$175K for experienced roles, citing Austin market data and your specific Playwright/Cypress expertise.

QA Engineer Salary FAQ — Austin

What is the average QA Engineer salary in Austin, TX?
The average QA Engineer salary in Austin is $105,800 per year as of April 2026 — $8,817/month, $2,035/week, or about $51/hour. Salaries range from $68,770 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $174,570 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×).
Is $105,800 a good QA Engineer salary in Austin?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 (vs 100 nationally), giving $105,800 a real purchasing power of approximately $88,908 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $105,800 in Austin?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Austin specifically (median home price $510,000), a $105,800 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $105,800 enough for a single person in Austin?
A single adult in Austin typically needs ~$53,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $105,800 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $105,800 enough for a couple in Austin?
A couple (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$85,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $105,800 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $105,800 each ($211,600 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $105,800 enough for a family of 4 in Austin?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$130,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $105,800 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Austin. Childcare costs in Austin typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a QA Engineer in Austin?
On a $105,800 QA Engineer salary in Austin, TX, you take home approximately $82,728.3 per year ($6,894/month, $3,182 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,978, state $0, FICA $8,093.7. Effective tax rate: 21.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do QA Engineers in Austin earn compared to the US average?
QA Engineers in Austin earn approximately 15% more than the US national median for this role ($92,000 nationally vs $105,800 in Austin). However, Austin's cost-of-living index of 119 means real purchasing power is approximately $88,908 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level QA Engineer earn in Austin?
Entry-level QA Engineers in Austin typically start at around $82,524 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, QA Engineers earn $139,656 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $174,570+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did QA Engineer salaries in Austin increase in 2026?
Yes — QA Engineer salaries in Austin grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $17,065 in 2025 to $105,800 in 2026 (+$88,735). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Playwright and Cypress demand.
What's the job outlook for QA Engineers in Austin?
QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums. Austin's top industries include Tech, Government, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for QA Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for QA Engineers are: Playwright, Cypress, API testing, CI/CD test pipelines, AI-assisted testing, performance testing. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Austin.
Who are the top employers hiring QA Engineers in Austin?
Top employers hiring QA Engineers in or near Austin include: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Salesforce, Oracle, Adobe. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher QA Engineer salary in Austin?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my QA Engineer salary in Austin?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Playwright, Cypress, API testing) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., ISTQB Foundation or Certified Software Tester (CSTE)). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a QA Engineer in Austin?
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable) is the typical path. However, Austin's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

QA Engineer salary figures for Austin are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($92,000) by Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.15× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Austin

Software Engineer →DevOps Engineer →Frontend Developer →Data Scientist →Product Manager →Web Developer →

QA Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$97KSan Antonio, TX$86KSan Diego, CA$109KDallas, TX$97KFort Worth, TX$94KDenver, CO$101KEl Paso, TX$78KPortland, OR$101K

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