Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $90,220 -12.1% vs national
Median hourly $43.37
10th percentile $57,930
90th percentile $127,660
Employed locally 60
National median $102,610

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Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $57,930
    25th
    $78,540
    50th (median)
    $90,220
    75th
    $127,660
    90th
    $127,660

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary vs area income 127% Median Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary is 27% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $165,700
    Lexington Park, MD $159,870
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $139,580
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $131,640
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $129,940
    Rochester, MN $128,820

    Nearby metros — Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $127,940
    California $127,010
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $126,430
    Virginia $123,270
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $118,090
    Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area $110,570

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Software Developers $127,040
    Computer User Support Specialists $62,130
    Computer Systems Analysts $92,100
    Computer Network Support Specialists $80,050
    Computer Occupations, All Other $104,010
    Data Scientists $77,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Ames, IA is $43.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.29 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries?

    The median Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in Ames, IA is 12.1% below the national median of $102,610. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Ames?

    Entry-level Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (10th percentile) earn around $57,930 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,540.