Engineering · Salary Guide · Los Angeles
QA Engineer Salary in Los Angeles
LA's tech market is concentrated around three sub-sectors: entertainment-tech (Snap, Disney, Netflix), aerospace/defense (SpaceX, Northrop, Lockheed), and a spread of Big Tech satellite offices. Base salaries typically land 10–15% below SF with equivalent California tax burden, so total compensation is meaningfully lower than SF for the same role. The culture trade-off is real: LA offers lifestyle and weather advantages the Bay Area doesn't. Cost of living is 50% above the national average — lower than SF and NYC but higher than most US markets. 1BR averages $2,800/month.
Median base in Los Angeles
$150k
Cost of living index
150
US = 100
Market multiplier
1.15x
vs US national
Salary by experience level in Los Angeles
| Experience level | Base salary (US national) |
|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $86k – $138k |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | $127k – $190k |
| Senior (6–9 yrs) | $173k – $265k |
| Staff / Principal (10+ yrs) | $242k – $391k |
Adjusted from national ranges using the Los Angeles market multiplier (1.15x).
Tax and take-home considerations
California state income tax up to 13.3%. COL slightly lower than SF but still high.
Dominant employers in Los Angeles
Strong media/entertainment tech market. Base salaries below SF but above most US markets.
FAQ
What is the average qa engineer salary in Los Angeles?
The median base salary for a qa engineer in Los Angeles is approximately $150k in 2026. LA's tech market is concentrated around three sub-sectors: entertainment-tech (Snap, Disney, Netflix), aerospace/defense (SpaceX, Northrop, Lockheed), and a spread of Big Tech satellite offices.
Does Los Angeles have state income tax for qa engineers?
California state income tax up to 13.3%. COL slightly lower than SF but still high.
Which companies hire the most qa engineers in Los Angeles?
The dominant employers in Los Angeles are Google LA, Snap, Disney Streaming, Netflix, SpaceX. Strong media/entertainment tech market. Base salaries below SF but above most US markets.
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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