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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

QA Engineer Salary in Cleveland: $85K Median

QA Engineers in Cleveland, OH earn between $55K and $140K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $92,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median QA Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $84,640 per year — -8% below the US national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $55,016 (entry, 25th percentile) to $139,656 (90th percentile). QA Engineers in Cleveland earned approximately $13,652 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$84,640
+520.0% YoY · $7,053/mo
Entry
$66,019
0–2 years
Experienced
$111,725
5+ years
Top 10%
$139,656
Senior/lead
QA Engineer Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$85K
Columbus
$89K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$81K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$84K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About QA Engineers in Cleveland

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

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers

Major employers active in Cleveland 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 — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$55,016$84,640$139,656
Monthly$4,585$7,053$11,638
Weekly$1,058$1,628$2,686
Hourly$26$41$67

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($92,000) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

QA Engineer Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$63,610.24
Per month$5,301
Biweekly paycheck$2,447
Effective tax rate24.8%

Tax Breakdown on $84,640

Gross salary$84,640
Federal income tax−$10,322.8
Ohio state tax−$2,116
Cleveland local tax−$2,116
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,474.96
Take-home (net)$63,610.24

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 — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for QA Engineers in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$60,737
2–3 yr$66,019
4–6 yr$88,872
7–10 yr$111,725
11–15 yr$131,836
15+ yr$125,691

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,652
2026 median:$84,640
Change:+$70,988

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
$96,182
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your QA Engineer Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $73,600 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

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 $112K–$140K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific Playwright/Cypress expertise.

QA Engineer Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average QA Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average QA Engineer salary in Cleveland is $84,640 per year as of April 2026 — $7,053/month, $1,628/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $55,016 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $139,656 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $84,640 a good QA Engineer salary in Cleveland?
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. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $84,640 a real purchasing power of approximately $96,182 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $84,640 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $84,640 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $84,640 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $84,640 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $84,640 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $84,640 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $84,640 each ($169,280 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $84,640 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $84,640 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 Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a QA Engineer in Cleveland?
On a $84,640 QA Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $63,610.24 per year ($5,301/month, $2,447 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,322.8, state $2,116, local $2,116, FICA $6,474.96. Effective tax rate: 24.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do QA Engineers in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
QA Engineers in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($92,000 nationally vs $84,640 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $96,182 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level QA Engineer earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level QA Engineers in Cleveland typically start at around $66,019 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, QA Engineers earn $111,725 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $139,656+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did QA Engineer salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — QA Engineer salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $13,652 in 2025 to $84,640 in 2026 (+$70,988). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Playwright and Cypress demand.
What's the job outlook for QA Engineers in Cleveland?
QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring QA Engineers in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring QA Engineers in or near Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable) is the typical path. However, Cleveland'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 Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($92,000) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — 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 Cleveland

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

QA Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$86KJacksonville, FL$85KColumbus, OH$89KIndianapolis, IN$86KDetroit, MI$86KMemphis, TN$81KOklahoma City, OK$81KLas Vegas, NV$87K

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