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Occupation · SOC 15-1253

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

There are 186,740 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $104,300 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Computer & MathTypical education: Bachelor's degree
186,740
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$104,300
Median pay a year
Middle half: $80,310–$133,180
10,700
Annual openings
10-year change: +5.7%
18,723
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+11.8% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 218 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $130,540 · LCA filings 1,37611,460$130,5401,376
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $103,210 · LCA filings 2,6388,840$103,2102,638
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $126,350 · LCA filings 5688,460$126,350568
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $122,210 · LCA filings 4297,200$122,210429
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $129,690 · LCA filings 7266,650$129,690726
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $166,530 · LCA filings 1,5706,480$166,5301,570
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $122,210 · LCA filings 6556,050$122,210655
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $134,630 · LCA filings 1,0375,880$134,6301,037
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $105,800 · LCA filings 1,1125,270$105,8001,112
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $105,580 · LCA filings 8655,010$105,580865

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 6,480 · LCA filings 1,570$166,5306,4801,570
Lexington Park, MDEmployment 400 · LCA filings 0$147,5204000
Boulder, COEmployment 500 · LCA filings 17$136,41050017
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 5,880 · LCA filings 1,037$134,6305,8801,037
Greeley, COEmployment 60 · LCA filings 5$134,350605

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 925 · Employment 8,8402,6389258,840
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployers with LCA filings 466 · Employment 6,4801,5704666,480
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 572 · Employment 11,4601,37657211,460
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 449 · Employment 5,2701,1124495,270
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 440 · Employment 5,8801,0374405,880

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $107,349 · Level III $130,354 · Level IV $153,379$84,323$107,349$130,354$153,379
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $88,566 · Level III $107,099 · Level IV $125,611$70,054$88,566$107,099$125,611
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $105,851 · Level III $125,902 · Level IV $145,954$85,800$105,851$125,902$145,954
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $94,827 · Level III $119,330 · Level IV $143,832$70,325$94,827$119,330$143,832
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $108,243 · Level III $134,867 · Level IV $161,512$81,598$108,243$134,867$161,512
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $129,022 · Level III $159,744 · Level IV $190,445$98,322$129,022$159,744$190,445
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $94,786 · Level III $117,291 · Level IV $139,797$72,280$94,786$117,291$139,797
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $108,472 · Level III $136,344 · Level IV $164,237$80,579$108,472$136,344$164,237
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $90,750 · Level III $107,141 · Level IV $123,510$74,381$90,750$107,141$123,510
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $91,749 · Level III $109,138 · Level IV $126,506$74,381$91,749$109,138$126,506

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Computer ScienceCIP 11.07STEM OPT · up to 36 months27,204STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Computer EngineeringCIP 14.09STEM OPT · up to 36 months6,301STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralCIP 11.01STEM OPT · up to 36 months32,134STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in every metro area

All 218 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Computer & Math

Software DevelopersComputer User Support SpecialistsComputer Systems AnalystsComputer Occupations, All OtherData ScientistsInformation Security AnalystsNetwork and Computer Systems AdministratorsComputer Network Architects

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology