Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $122,980 a year ($59.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,820 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $104,300. Pay here is 23% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $100,390. There are 2.8 software quality assurance analysts and testers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,510, close to the median.
Pay range for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,280 | $31.38 |
| 25th percentile | $85,330 | $41.03 |
| Median | $122,980 | $59.13 |
| 75th percentile | $137,550 | $66.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,820 | $80.20 |
| Average (mean) | $118,510 | $56.98 |
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 | $10,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,124.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,730 |
| Weekly | $2,365 |
| Hourly | $59.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $114,510 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $110,800 | 1,760 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $105,970 | 720 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $101,140 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $99,340 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $97,520 | 80 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $93,540 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $86,200 | 190 |
| Greenville, NC | $85,930 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $81,990 | 3,900 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $69,390 | 190 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $135,620 | $65.20 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,410 | $51.16 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $126,300 | $60.72 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $110,640 | $53.19 |
| Computer Network Architect | $144,990 | $69.71 |
| Information Security Analyst | $129,670 | $62.34 |
| Database Architect | $141,770 | $68.16 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $133,340 | $64.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| Computer Programmer | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Database Administrator | $117,950 | $56.71 |
| Web Developer | $96,880 | $46.58 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $122,980 a year, or $59.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of software quality assurance analysts and testers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $166,820 a year. The top 25% earn $137,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,280 a year, and a quarter of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn $85,330 or less.
How many software quality assurance analysts and testers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 950 software quality assurance analysts and testers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.