TechnologyOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level QA Engineer Salary in Washington DC

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$93,807/yr

Typical range: $89,212 $109,699

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

QA Engineer Salary Progression in Washington DC

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$93,807$7,817
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$115,879$9,657+24%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$130,594$10,883+39%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$151,194$12,600+61%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$204,167$17,014+118%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$256,037$21,336+173%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$269,004$22,417+187%
Current Salary
$93,807
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $45/hr
Next Level Target
$115,879
Junior · 2
+$22Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
32/100
High Risk
+12% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level QA Engineer salary in Washington DC, DC?

Entry Level QA Engineers in Washington DC, DC earn approximately $94K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level QA Engineer make per hour in Washington DC, DC?

Based on $94K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $45/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior QA Engineer in Washington DC, DC?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior QA Engineer in Washington DC, DC earns $173K–$213K/yr.