Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $106,750 +4% vs national
Median hourly $51.32
10th percentile $67,550
90th percentile $166,680
Employed locally 100
National median $102,610

Compare Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary & buying power

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Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $67,550
    25th
    $79,510
    50th (median)
    $106,750
    75th
    $149,260
    90th
    $166,680

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary vs area income 98% Median Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary is 2% below 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $165,700
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $139,580
    California $127,010
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $126,730
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $125,440
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $111,040

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Software Developers $138,740
    Computer Systems Analysts $108,700
    Computer User Support Specialists $73,410
    Computer Occupations, All Other $104,800
    Network and Computer Systems Administrators $108,000
    Data Scientists $116,480

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Santa Cruz, CA is $51.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $84.60 or more per hour.

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

    The median Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 4% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers (10th percentile) earn around $67,550 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,510.