National Salary Overview
VS
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median Salary
$98,316
Average (Mean)
$101,534
Employed Nationwide
181,930
Software Developers earns $29,084 more (29.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$127,401
$98,316
Average (Mean) Salary
$131,905
$101,534
Total Employment
1,687,370
181,930
States with Higher Pay
46
0
Salary by State: Software Developers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Showing 46 states where both occupations have BLS data. Software Developers pays more in 46 states; Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pays more in 0.
| State | Software Developers | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $122,540 | $101,500 | +$21,040 | ||
| Arizona | $129,690 | $100,650 | +$29,040 | ||
| California | $174,410 | $128,740 | +$45,670 | ||
| Colorado | $138,390 | $123,690 | +$14,700 | ||
| Connecticut | $134,120 | $97,740 | +$36,380 | ||
| Delaware | $133,020 | $106,060 | +$26,960 | ||
| District of Columbia | $136,880 | $103,340 | +$33,540 | ||
| Florida | $130,980 | $100,210 | +$30,770 | ||
| Georgia | $131,010 | $103,040 | +$27,970 | ||
| Hawaii | $124,040 | $102,930 | +$21,110 | ||
| Illinois | $132,110 | $104,910 | +$27,200 | ||
| Indiana | $105,920 | $87,020 | +$18,900 | ||
| Iowa | $114,890 | $88,590 | +$26,300 | ||
| Kansas | $113,420 | $94,490 | +$18,930 | ||
| Kentucky | $109,010 | $79,100 | +$29,910 | ||
| Louisiana | $102,800 | $66,810 | +$35,990 | ||
| Maine | $123,120 | $86,050 | +$37,070 | ||
| Maryland | $138,680 | $111,100 | +$27,580 | ||
| Massachusetts | $165,210 | $122,210 | +$43,000 | ||
| Michigan | $125,570 | $98,720 | +$26,850 | ||
| Minnesota | $130,050 | $101,700 | +$28,350 | ||
| Mississippi | $95,330 | $79,890 | +$15,440 | ||
| Missouri | $126,120 | $85,530 | +$40,590 | ||
| Montana | $121,990 | $103,930 | +$18,060 | ||
| Nebraska | $110,900 | $98,010 | +$12,890 | ||
| New Hampshire | $139,720 | $107,100 | +$32,620 | ||
| New Jersey | $135,940 | $119,470 | +$16,470 | ||
| New Mexico | $124,520 | $116,580 | +$7,940 | ||
| New York | $166,180 | $121,240 | +$44,940 | ||
| North Carolina | $134,710 | $100,390 | +$34,320 | ||
| North Dakota | $105,600 | $83,920 | +$21,680 | ||
| Ohio | $114,090 | $98,000 | +$16,090 | ||
| Oklahoma | $118,100 | $77,700 | +$40,400 | ||
| Oregon | $142,720 | $108,440 | +$34,280 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $126,550 | $93,030 | +$33,520 | ||
| Rhode Island | $130,590 | $101,790 | +$28,800 | ||
| South Carolina | $129,450 | $97,500 | +$31,950 | ||
| South Dakota | $96,310 | $68,120 | +$28,190 | ||
| Tennessee | $122,430 | $91,040 | +$31,390 | ||
| Texas | $132,150 | $101,850 | +$30,300 | ||
| Utah | $128,810 | $82,100 | +$46,710 | ||
| Vermont | $125,280 | $76,580 | +$48,700 | ||
| Virginia | $136,460 | $121,590 | +$14,870 | ||
| Washington | $166,540 | $128,480 | +$38,060 | ||
| West Virginia | $121,000 | $62,300 | +$58,700 | ||
| Wisconsin | $122,660 | $89,400 | +$33,260 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Software Developers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Software Developers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
On average across all states, a Software Developers earns more than a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers. The national median salary difference is $29,084 (29.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
What is the median salary for a Software Developers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
The national median salary for a Software Developers is $127,401 per year, compared to $98,316 for a Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Software Developers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
There are more people employed as Software Developers. BLS reports approximately 1,687,370 Software Developers positions and 181,930 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Software Developers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Both Software Developers 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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