As of April 01, 2025, the average hourly pay of Software Tester I in the United States is $22. While Salary.com is seeing that Software Tester I salary in the US can go up to $28 or down to $18, but most earn between $20 and $25. Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Software Tester I in the United States.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $25 | $2 | $0 | $0 |
| Average | $22 | $2 | $0 | $0 |
| 25th Percentile | $20 | $2 | $0 | $0 |
As of April 01, 2025, Salary.com is seeing that an entry-level Software Tester I with under 1 year experience makes about $46,362. With less than 2 years of experience, a mid-level Software Tester I makes around $47,365. After 2-4 years, the Software Tester I pay rises to about $48,244. Those senior Software Tester I with 5-8 years of experience earn roughly $48,508, and those Software Tester I having 8 years or more experience is expected to earn about $48,684 on average.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Software Tester I | $46,362 |
| Intermediate Level Software Tester I | $47,365 |
| Senior Level Software Tester I | $48,244 |
| Specialist Level Software Tester I | $48,508 |
| Expert Level Software Tester I | $48,684 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 4% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from state to state due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living, local economic conditions, and industry presence.
For example, as of April 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Software Tester I is $51,560 in California and in Massachusetts, the average annual salary goes to $50,880. While in New Jersey, a Software Tester I earns $50,670 per year.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary significantly from city to city due to a multitude of factors, including cost of living, local economic conditions, and industry presence.
For example, as of April 01, 2025, the average yearly salary of Software Tester I in San Francisco, CA is $58,380 and in New York, NY, the average annual salary goes to $54,180. While a Software Tester I earns $52,140 per year in Boston, MA.
For those exploring the changing dynamics of Software Tester I salaries, Salary.com offers detailed insights through our Job Trending in CA Labor Market analysis. As of April 01, 2025, our research highlights a notable shift in Software Tester I compensation over the past six years. For instance, the median salary has moved from $49,349 in 2023 to about $49,506 in 2024 (for a comprehensive analysis of Software Tester I salary trends, click here). It's crucial to consider several elements, including geographical location, experience level, industry demand, and economic development, as they play a significant role in influencing salary variations.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Software Tester I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Software Tester I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Software Tester I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $46,750 | 66.9% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $3,576 | 5.1% | ||
| 401K/403B | $1,964 | 2.8% | ||
| Disability | $935 | 1.3% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 12.0% | ||
| Pension | $2,525 | 3.6% | ||
| Time Off | $5,754 | 8.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $69,855 | 100% | ||
The Software Tester I follows uniform testing procedures. Tests basic features of new software releases using pre-defined test plans and scripts to identify defects. Being a Software Tester I performs follow-up rounds of testing as needed. Documents results and uses designated systems and tools to track outcomes. In addition, Software Tester I requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Being a Software Tester I works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
SQL: Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS).
Futures: Futures are derivative financial contracts obligating the buyer to purchase an asset or the seller to sell an asset at a predetermined future date and set price.
