Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $105,580 a year ($50.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,900 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $104,300. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $104,910. There are 1.1 software quality assurance analysts and testers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $109,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,010 | $32.22 |
| 25th percentile | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| Median | $105,580 | $50.76 |
| 75th percentile | $130,920 | $62.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,900 | $73.51 |
| Average (mean) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
Half of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,798.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,399.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,060.77 |
| Weekly | $2,030.38 |
| Hourly | $50.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $108,040 | 180 |
| Bloomington, IL | $102,070 | 240 |
| Springfield, IL | $96,800 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $96,700 | 80 |
| Rockford, IL | $96,020 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $94,590 | 1,360 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $93,510 | 990 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $87,940 | 920 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $86,130 | 80 |
| Evansville, IN | $83,250 | 30 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $79,710 | 80 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,340 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $79,040 | n/a |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $78,850 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for software quality assurance analysts and testers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $128,740 |
| Washington | $128,480 |
| Colorado | $123,690 |
| Massachusetts | $122,210 |
| Virginia | $121,590 |
| New York | $121,240 |
| New Jersey | $119,470 |
| New Mexico | $116,580 |
| Maryland | $111,100 |
| Oregon | $108,440 |
See Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $134,380 | $64.60 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | $49.76 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $103,170 | $49.60 |
| Computer Network Architect | $143,800 | $69.14 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $73,340 | $35.26 |
| Information Security Analyst | $125,310 | $60.25 |
| Web Developer | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Database Administrator | $109,680 | $52.73 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Database Architect | $147,490 | $70.91 |
| Computer Programmer | $99,750 | $47.96 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $135,630 | $65.21 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1253. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $105,580 a year, or $50.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of software quality assurance analysts and testers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $152,900 a year. The top 25% earn $130,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,010 a year, and a quarter of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn $83,310 or less.
How many software quality assurance analysts and testers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 5,010 software quality assurance analysts and testers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.