SalaryByCity

Software Developers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Software Developers

$133,080

Median annual salary

1,654,440 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Developers professionals earn $30,470 more per year than Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals — that's 29.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Developers earns $211,450 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$60,690$211,450

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileSoftware DevelopersSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$79,850$60,690+$19,160
25th Percentile$103,050$79,520+$23,530
Median (50th)$133,080$102,610+$30,470
75th Percentile$169,000$131,870+$37,130
90th Percentile$211,450$166,960+$44,490
Mean (Average)$144,570$110,260+$34,310

Employment Numbers

Software Developers

1,654,440

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Software Developers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$208,270
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$174,910
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$169,340
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$161,970
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$159,240

Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Software Developers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,470 (29.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,654,440 Software Developers positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Software Developers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Developers has a median salary of $133,080 while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS