National Salary Overview
VS
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median Salary
$98,316
Average (Mean)
$101,534
Employed Nationwide
181,930
Data Scientists earns $8,964 more (9.1%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$107,281
$98,316
Average (Mean) Salary
$113,686
$101,534
Total Employment
261,640
181,930
States with Higher Pay
37
8
Salary by State: Data Scientists vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Showing 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. Data Scientists pays more in 37 states; Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pays more in 8.
| State | Data Scientists | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $103,120 | $101,500 | +$1,620 | ||
| Arizona | $107,240 | $100,650 | +$6,590 | ||
| California | $141,590 | $128,740 | +$12,850 | ||
| Colorado | $117,400 | $123,690 | $-6,290 | ||
| Connecticut | $126,340 | $97,740 | +$28,600 | ||
| District of Columbia | $126,490 | $103,340 | +$23,150 | ||
| Florida | $115,820 | $100,210 | +$15,610 | ||
| Georgia | $104,340 | $103,040 | +$1,300 | ||
| Hawaii | $102,130 | $102,930 | $-800 | ||
| Illinois | $106,560 | $104,910 | +$1,650 | ||
| Indiana | $91,470 | $87,020 | +$4,450 | ||
| Iowa | $95,830 | $88,590 | +$7,240 | ||
| Kansas | $98,130 | $94,490 | +$3,640 | ||
| Kentucky | $91,760 | $79,100 | +$12,660 | ||
| Louisiana | $78,760 | $66,810 | +$11,950 | ||
| Maine | $90,880 | $86,050 | +$4,830 | ||
| Maryland | $136,370 | $111,100 | +$25,270 | ||
| Massachusetts | $131,750 | $122,210 | +$9,540 | ||
| Michigan | $100,590 | $98,720 | +$1,870 | ||
| Minnesota | $128,800 | $101,700 | +$27,100 | ||
| Mississippi | $69,490 | $79,890 | $-10,400 | ||
| Missouri | $97,090 | $85,530 | +$11,560 | ||
| Montana | $100,490 | $103,930 | $-3,440 | ||
| Nebraska | $98,230 | $98,010 | +$220 | ||
| New Hampshire | $100,620 | $107,100 | $-6,480 | ||
| New Jersey | $135,280 | $119,470 | +$15,810 | ||
| New Mexico | $95,850 | $116,580 | $-20,730 | ||
| New York | $130,460 | $121,240 | +$9,220 | ||
| North Carolina | $119,090 | $100,390 | +$18,700 | ||
| North Dakota | $81,900 | $83,920 | $-2,020 | ||
| Ohio | $102,630 | $98,000 | +$4,630 | ||
| Oklahoma | $86,310 | $77,700 | +$8,610 | ||
| Oregon | $125,990 | $108,440 | +$17,550 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $106,850 | $93,030 | +$13,820 | ||
| Rhode Island | $102,440 | $101,790 | +$650 | ||
| South Carolina | $91,990 | $97,500 | $-5,510 | ||
| South Dakota | $96,150 | $68,120 | +$28,030 | ||
| Tennessee | $100,330 | $91,040 | +$9,290 | ||
| Texas | $122,090 | $101,850 | +$20,240 | ||
| Utah | $108,090 | $82,100 | +$25,990 | ||
| Vermont | $127,070 | $76,580 | +$50,490 | ||
| Virginia | $126,430 | $121,590 | +$4,840 | ||
| Washington | $163,350 | $128,480 | +$34,870 | ||
| West Virginia | $85,090 | $62,300 | +$22,790 | ||
| Wisconsin | $106,680 | $89,400 | +$17,280 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Data Scientists vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Data Scientists or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
On average across all states, a Data Scientists earns more than a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers. The national median salary difference is $8,964 (9.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Data Scientists earn more than a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
A Data Scientists earns a higher median salary than a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in 37 out of 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pays more in 8 states.
What is the median salary for a Data Scientists vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
The national median salary for a Data Scientists is $107,281 per year, compared to $98,316 for a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Data Scientists or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
There are more people employed as Data Scientists. BLS reports approximately 261,640 Data Scientists positions and 181,930 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Data Scientists or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Both Data Scientists and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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