Engineering · Salary Guide · Austin
QA Engineer Salary in Austin
Austin's compensation has compressed somewhat since the 2022–2023 tech relocation wave, but it remains one of the best COL-adjusted markets in the US. Base salaries are 70–80% of SF levels, but zero state income tax and housing costs roughly 45% lower than SF push effective take-home pay within 10% of SF for many roles. Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and Indeed anchor the market; a growing remote-work ecosystem means many Austin-based engineers work for out-of-state employers while paying Texas tax rates. A 1BR averages $1,650/month.
Median base in Austin
$137k
Cost of living index
115
US = 100
Market multiplier
1.05x
vs US national
Salary by experience level in Austin
| Experience level | Base salary (US national) |
|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $79k – $126k |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | $116k – $173k |
| Senior (6–9 yrs) | $158k – $242k |
| Staff / Principal (10+ yrs) | $221k – $357k |
Adjusted from national ranges using the Austin market multiplier (1.05x).
Tax and take-home considerations
No state income tax. Lower COL than coastal markets boosts effective take-home pay meaningfully.
Dominant employers in Austin
Lower base salaries but strong take-home due to zero state tax and ~40% lower housing costs than SF.
FAQ
What is the average qa engineer salary in Austin?
The median base salary for a qa engineer in Austin is approximately $137k in 2026. Austin's compensation has compressed somewhat since the 2022–2023 tech relocation wave, but it remains one of the best COL-adjusted markets in the US.
Does Austin have state income tax for qa engineers?
No state income tax. Lower COL than coastal markets boosts effective take-home pay meaningfully.
Which companies hire the most qa engineers in Austin?
The dominant employers in Austin are Tesla, Apple, Oracle, Indeed, Dell. Lower base salaries but strong take-home due to zero state tax and ~40% lower housing costs than SF.
What is the average QA engineer salary in the US?
As of 2026, the median base salary for a US QA/SDET engineer is about $130,000, with mid-level ranges of $110k–$165k. Manual-QA-only roles run 20–30% lower; automation-heavy SDET roles at Big Tech clear $180k–$280k total comp.
How much do SDET engineers make compared to QA analysts?
SDETs typically earn 30–60% more than manual QA analysts at the same company. A senior manual QA analyst might earn $95k–$130k; a senior SDET at the same company earns $160k–$230k. The gap comes from automation, CI ownership, and code-review responsibilities.
Related QA Engineer Resources
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