Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $93,540 a year ($44.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,900 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $104,300. Pay here is 7% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $100,390. There are 0.30 software quality assurance analysts and testers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $97,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| 25th percentile | $71,940 | $34.59 |
| Median | $93,540 | $44.97 |
| 75th percentile | $120,390 | $57.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,900 | $67.26 |
| Average (mean) | $97,040 | $46.65 |
Half of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,795 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,897.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,597.69 |
| Weekly | $1,798.85 |
| Hourly | $44.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $93,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $122,980 | 950 |
| Asheville, NC | $114,510 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $110,800 | 1,760 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $105,970 | 720 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $101,140 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $99,340 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $97,520 | 80 |
| Wilmington, NC | $86,200 | 190 |
| Greenville, NC | $85,930 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $81,990 | 3,900 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $69,390 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for software quality assurance analysts and testers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $128,740 |
| Washington | $128,480 |
| Colorado | $123,690 |
| Massachusetts | $122,210 |
| Virginia | $121,590 |
| New York | $121,240 |
| New Jersey | $119,470 |
| New Mexico | $116,580 |
| Maryland | $111,100 |
| Oregon | $108,440 |
See Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $122,540 | $58.91 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $74,310 | $35.73 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $93,970 | $45.18 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $85,780 | $41.24 |
| Computer Network Architect | $109,950 | $52.86 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| Information Security Analyst | $115,250 | $55.41 |
| Data Scientist | $95,290 | $45.81 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1253. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $93,540 a year, or $44.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software quality assurance analysts and testers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of software quality assurance analysts and testers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $139,900 a year. The top 25% earn $120,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for software quality assurance analysts and testers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,890 a year, and a quarter of software quality assurance analysts and testers earn $71,940 or less.
How many software quality assurance analysts and testers work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 50 software quality assurance analysts and testers are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.