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2026 Salary Data — Colorado Springs, CO
Updated April 28, 2026

QA Engineer Salary in Colorado Springs: $92K Median

QA Engineers in Colorado Springs, CO earn between $60K and $152K per year.

That's +0% above the US national median of $92,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median QA Engineer salary in Colorado Springs, CO is $92,000 per year — +0% above the US national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) to $151,800 (90th percentile). QA Engineers in Colorado Springs earned approximately $14,839 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$92,000
+520.0% YoY · $7,667/mo
Entry
$71,760
0–2 years
Experienced
$121,440
5+ years
Top 10%
$151,800
Senior/lead
QA Engineer Salary — Colorado Springs vs Nearby
Colorado Springs
$92K
Denver
$101K
-9% vs Colorado Springs
Nashville
$92K
+0% vs Colorado Springs
Fresno
$87K
+5% vs Colorado Springs

Free ATS scan · Colorado Springs employers · Results in 60 seconds

About QA Engineers in Colorado Springs

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

Colorado Springs Job Market

Major military and aerospace hub at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

Population
478K
Cost of Living
105
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$470K

Top Industries in Colorado Springs

MilitaryAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers

Major employers active in Colorado Springs 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 — Colorado Springs

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$59,800$92,000$151,800
Monthly$4,983$7,667$12,650
Weekly$1,150$1,769$2,919
Hourly$29$44$73

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($92,000) adjusted for Colorado Springs's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

QA Engineer Take-Home Pay in Colorado Springs

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$68,972
Per month$5,748
Biweekly paycheck$2,653
Effective tax rate25.0%

Tax Breakdown on $92,000

Gross salary$92,000
Federal income tax−$11,942
Colorado state tax−$4,048
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,038
Take-home (net)$68,972

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 — Colorado Springs

Career-stage progression for QA Engineers in Colorado Springs.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$66,019
2–3 yr$71,760
4–6 yr$96,600
7–10 yr$121,440
11–15 yr$143,299
15+ yr$136,620

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Colorado Springs's 1.00× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,839
2026 median:$92,000
Change:+$77,161

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
$87,619
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your QA Engineer Salary in Colorado Springs

Walk-away anchor: $80,000 (offers below this are below market for Colorado Springs).

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 $121K–$152K for experienced roles, citing Colorado Springs market data and your specific Playwright/Cypress expertise.

QA Engineer Salary FAQ — Colorado Springs

What is the average QA Engineer salary in Colorado Springs, CO?
The average QA Engineer salary in Colorado Springs is $92,000 per year as of April 2026 — $7,667/month, $1,769/week, or about $44/hour. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $151,800 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Colorado Springs's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×).
Is $92,000 a good QA Engineer salary in Colorado Springs?
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. Colorado Springs's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $92,000 a real purchasing power of approximately $87,619 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $92,000 in Colorado Springs?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Colorado Springs specifically (median home price $470,000), a $92,000 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $92,000 enough for a single person in Colorado Springs?
A single adult in Colorado Springs typically needs ~$47,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $92,000 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $92,000 enough for a couple in Colorado Springs?
A couple (one earner) in Colorado Springs typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $92,000 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $92,000 each ($184,000 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $92,000 enough for a family of 4 in Colorado Springs?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Colorado Springs typically needs ~$115,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $92,000 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 Colorado Springs. Childcare costs in Colorado Springs typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a QA Engineer in Colorado Springs?
On a $92,000 QA Engineer salary in Colorado Springs, CO, you take home approximately $68,972 per year ($5,748/month, $2,653 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,942, state $4,048, FICA $7,038. Effective tax rate: 25.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do QA Engineers in Colorado Springs earn compared to the US average?
QA Engineers in Colorado Springs earn approximately 0% more than the US national median for this role ($92,000 nationally vs $92,000 in Colorado Springs). However, Colorado Springs's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $87,619 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level QA Engineer earn in Colorado Springs?
Entry-level QA Engineers in Colorado Springs typically start at around $71,760 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, QA Engineers earn $121,440 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $151,800+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did QA Engineer salaries in Colorado Springs increase in 2026?
Yes — QA Engineer salaries in Colorado Springs grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $14,839 in 2025 to $92,000 in 2026 (+$77,161). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Playwright and Cypress demand.
What's the job outlook for QA Engineers in Colorado Springs?
QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums. Colorado Springs's top industries include Military, Aerospace, Tech, 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 Colorado Springs.
Who are the top employers hiring QA Engineers in Colorado Springs?
Top employers hiring QA Engineers in or near Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs?
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable) is the typical path. However, Colorado Springs'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 Colorado Springs are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($92,000) by Colorado Springs's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× — 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 Colorado Springs

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

QA Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$92KPhiladelphia, PA$96KFort Worth, TX$94KColumbus, OH$89KCharlotte, NC$94KDenver, CO$101KNashville, TN$92KMesa, AZ$90K

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