🧪 Official Bureau of Labor Statistics & Tech Benchmark (2026)

Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer in San Jose, CA.

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Verified Compensation Research: Analytically verified by Jobflixs Labor Analytics Team • Primary Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SEC 10-K filings & H-1B Disclosures (2026). View Methodology →
Demand: +12% (High Demand)
$149,600
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $71.92/hr
📊 80% Range: $102,000 – $224,400
📍 Regional Multiplier: +36% vs National Baseline
10th % Entry $102,000
25th % Junior $125,800
50th % Median $149,600
75th % Senior $187,000
90th % Top 10% $224,400
Base Annual Salary $149,600
Target Annual Bonus $17,952
Annual Stock / Equity $32,912
Total Compensation (TC) $200,464
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Fact-Checked & Methodologically Verified by the SalaryPulse Research Team.
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS Survey), DOL Certified H-1B Disclosures & Public SEC 10-K Filings. Learn about our formula →
Live Opportunities (Salary Transparency)

Verified Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer Openings in San Jose, CA

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $149,600/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in San Jose, CA

Estimated pay progression across career stages for Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$102,000
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$149,600
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$187,000
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$224,400

Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$151,800

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$149,600

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$147,400

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$140,800

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$140,800

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$140,800

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$137,500

California

COL Index: 142%
$137,500

Role Profile & Career Requirements

A Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer leads technical design, operational execution, and industry best practices in their specialized sector. High demand and strong compensation growth projected through 2026-2032.

Required Education
Bachelor's, Master's, or Industry Professional License
Experience Benchmark
2-6 years
10-Year Projected Growth
+12% (High Demand)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer make in San Jose, CA?

The median annual salary for a Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer in San Jose, CA is $149,600, with entry-level professionals earning around $102,000 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $224,400.

What is the average hourly rate for a Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer in San Jose, CA?

On average, a Quality Assurance (QA) Automation Engineer in San Jose, CA makes approximately $71.92 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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