EngineeringOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level Quality Engineer Salary in San Francisco

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

$94,532/yr

Typical range: $91,929 $110,323

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Quality Engineer Salary Progression in San Francisco

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

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$94,532$7,878
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$114,789$9,566+21%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$128,294$10,691+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$145,309$12,109+54%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$186,363$15,530+97%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$218,775$18,231+131%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$226,877$18,906+140%
Current Salary
$94,532
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $45/hr
Next Level Target
$114,789
Junior · 2
+$20Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
33/100
High Risk
+6% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level Quality Engineer salary in San Francisco, CA?

Entry Level Quality Engineers in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $95K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level Quality Engineer make per hour in San Francisco, CA?

Based on $95K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $45/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior Quality Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Quality Engineer in San Francisco, CA earns $165K–$198K/yr.