EngineeringOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years
Staff / Lead Quality Engineer Salary in New York
2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.
$183,947/yr
Typical range: $163,165 – $195,814
P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data
Quality Engineer salary by experience level in New York
Quality Engineer Salary Progression in New York
From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data
| Experience Level | Years | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | vs Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 yrs | 0 yrs | $93,307 | $7,776 | — |
| Junior | 2 yrs | 2 yrs | $113,301 | $9,442 | +21% |
| Mid-Level | 4 yrs | 4 yrs | $126,630 | $10,553 | +36% |
| Senior | 6 yrs | 6 yrs | $143,425 | $11,952 | +54% |
| StaffThis page | 10 yrs | 10 yrs | $183,947 | $15,329 | +97% |
| Principal | 14 yrs | 14 yrs | $215,938 | $17,995 | +131% |
| Distinguished | 18 yrs | 18 yrs | $223,936 | $18,661 | +140% |
Current Salary
$183,947
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $88/hr
Next Level Target
$215,938
Principal · 14
+$32Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
33/100
High Risk
+6% demand · Moderate AI risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the staff / lead Quality Engineer salary in New York, NY?
Staff / Lead Quality Engineers in New York, NY earn approximately $184K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.
How much does a staff / lead Quality Engineer make per hour in New York, NY?
Based on $184K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $88/hr (2,080-hour work year).
How do I get from staff / lead to senior Quality Engineer in New York, NY?
The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Quality Engineer in New York, NY earns $163K–$196K/yr.