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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

QA Engineer Salary in Los Angeles: $118K Median

QA Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $77K and $194K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $92,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median QA Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $117,760 per year — +28% above the US national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $76,544 (entry, 25th percentile) to $194,304 (90th percentile). QA Engineers in Los Angeles earned approximately $18,994 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$117,760
+520.0% YoY · $9,813/mo
Entry
$91,853
0–2 years
Experienced
$155,443
5+ years
Top 10%
$194,304
Senior/lead
QA Engineer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$118K
San Diego
$109K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$143K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$87K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About QA Engineers in Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring QA Engineers

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$76,544$117,760$194,304
Monthly$6,379$9,813$16,192
Weekly$1,472$2,265$3,737
Hourly$37$57$93

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($92,000) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

QA Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$84,665.36
Per month$7,055
Biweekly paycheck$3,256
Effective tax rate28.1%

Tax Breakdown on $117,760

Gross salary$117,760
Federal income tax−$17,609.2
California state tax−$6,476.8
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,008.64
Take-home (net)$84,665.36

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for QA Engineers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$84,505
2–3 yr$91,853
4–6 yr$123,648
7–10 yr$155,443
11–15 yr$183,423
15+ yr$174,874

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,994
2026 median:$117,760
Change:+$98,766

Technology sector growth driven by demand for Playwright and Cypress.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$68,069
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your QA Engineer Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $102,400 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $155K–$194K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Playwright/Cypress expertise.

QA Engineer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average QA Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average QA Engineer salary in Los Angeles is $117,760 per year as of April 2026 — $9,813/month, $2,265/week, or about $57/hour. Salaries range from $76,544 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $194,304 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $117,760 a good QA Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $117,760 a real purchasing power of approximately $68,069 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $117,760 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $117,760 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $117,760 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $117,760 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $117,760 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $117,760 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $117,760 each ($235,520 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $117,760 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $117,760 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a QA Engineer in Los Angeles?
On a $117,760 QA Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $84,665.36 per year ($7,055/month, $3,256 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $17,609.2, state $6,476.8, FICA $9,008.64. Effective tax rate: 28.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do QA Engineers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
QA Engineers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($92,000 nationally vs $117,760 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $68,069 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level QA Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level QA Engineers in Los Angeles typically start at around $91,853 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, QA Engineers earn $155,443 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $194,304+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did QA Engineer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — QA Engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $18,994 in 2025 to $117,760 in 2026 (+$98,766). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by Playwright and Cypress demand.
What's the job outlook for QA Engineers in Los Angeles?
QA engineer roles projected to grow 10% through 2034. Shift-left testing and test automation skills commanding premiums. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring QA Engineers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring QA Engineers in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (bootcamps acceptable) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($92,000) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

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

QA Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$109KSan Francisco, CA$143KSeattle, WA$121KWashington, DC$120KBoston, MA$120KFresno, CA$87KSacramento, CA$99KLong Beach, CA$110K

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