Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester Salary in Seattle, WA
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $129,690 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $99,909 take-home, or $8,326 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software quality assurance analyst and tester salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,860
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,041
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,881
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$99,909
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,880 | $36.00 | $61,508 | $5,126 |
| 25th percentile | $98,410 | $47.31 | $78,061 | $6,505 |
| Median (50th) | $129,690 | $62.35 | $99,909 | $8,326 |
| 75th percentile | $168,210 | $80.87 | $126,238 | $10,520 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,190 | $101.05 | $156,432 | $13,036 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $129,690 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median software quality assurance analyst and tester's $99,909 take-home pay has the buying power of $89,900 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 2.6× the national concentration of software quality assurance analyst and tester jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for software quality assurance analysts and testers, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #3 of 17 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $166,530 | $111,667 | $101,126 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $129,880 | $94,175 | $90,131 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $129,690 | $99,909 | $89,900 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $123,690 | $91,074 | $86,096 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $130,540 | $93,828 | $83,356 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $103,070 | $81,340 | $82,944 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $126,350 | $89,855 | $82,524 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $122,210 | $88,906 | $82,118 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
About the job: software quality assurance analysts and testers
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software quality assurance analyst and tester make in Seattle, WA?
The median software quality assurance analyst and tester salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $129,690 a year, or about $62.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $98,410 and $168,210.
What is a software quality assurance analyst and tester’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $129,690 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $99,909 a year ($8,326 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a software quality assurance analyst and tester?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $104,300. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $89,900 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #3 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software quality assurance analyst and tester afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median software quality assurance analyst and tester’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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