Junior Software Test Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Junior Software Test Engineer make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Junior Software Test Engineer in the United States is $70,039 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Junior Software Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,020
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,657 to $74,740
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,756
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View as table View as graph 25% $64,657 10% $59,756 90% $79,020 75% $74,740 $70,039 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,740 $6,228 $1,437 $36
Average $70,039 $5,837 $1,347 $34
25th Percentile $64,657 $5,388 $1,243 $31
Check out Junior Software Test Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Junior Software Integration Test Engineer

RPMGlobal - Dayton, OH

Software Engineer in Test

Compunnel, Inc. - Westlake, OH

Software Test Engineer

Capital International - New Bremen, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries

A Junior Software Test Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Junior Software Test Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $70,412
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,206
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,030
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,996
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,268
Levels Salary
Junior So... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$70,412
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$79,206
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$111,030
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$133,996
Test Engi... Level Junior Software Test Engineer$146,268
$70,412 0 yr
$79,206 < 2 yrs
$111,030 2-4 yrs
$133,996 5-8 yrs
$146,268 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Junior Software Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $77,547.
  • California: $77,253.
  • Massachusetts: $76,223.

Top Paying Cities for Junior Software Test Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $88,340
  • San Francisco: $87,471
  • Oakland: $85,531

What Skills Can Increase a Junior Software Test Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.88% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Java (Mentioned in 3.23% Job Postings): Using Java in the development and maintenance of application programs and systems.
  • Automated Testing (Mentioned in 2.07% Job Postings): Test automation is the use of software to control the execution of tests and the comparison of predicted to actual outcomes.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.88%
Java 3.23%
Automated Testing 2.07%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Junior Software Test Engineer's salary.
  • AWS: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Jenkins: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
AWS
$74,941
7%
Python
$73,541
5%
Jenkins
$72,840
4%
Linux
$72,840
4%
Computer Science
$72,140
3%
Troubleshooting
$72,140
3%
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How Education impacts a Junior Software Test Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Junior Software Test Engineers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Junior Software Test Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $72,482 and $75,542).

Junior Software Test Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Junior Software Test Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.4%
High School 5.9%
Associates 7.3%
Bachelors 64.9%
Masters 20.5%
Doctorate 1.0%
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Junior Software Test Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Junior Software Test Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Junior Software Test Engineer

Salaries for a Junior Software Test Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,889 in 2023 to around $66,692 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Junior Software Test Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Junior Software Test Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$66,889
2024
$66,976
2025
$66,692
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $66,889
2024 $66,976
2025 $66,692
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Junior Software Test Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Junior Software Test Engineer

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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