Defense QA Engineer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$105,000
national median salary
$82,000 to $137,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$145,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$110,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$80,000
Jackson, MS
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026. Baseline derived from BLS SOC 15-1253. Full methodology.
The average Defense QA Engineer salary in the United States is $105,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $82,000 at the 25th percentile to $137,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $145,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments.
Defense QA Engineer salary by city
Skills that increase Defense QA Engineer pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Defense QA Engineers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $14,700 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$14,700 per year
≈ +$13,650 per year
≈ +$12,600 per year
≈ +$11,550 per year
≈ +$11,550 per year
≈ +$10,500 per year
≈ +$10,500 per year
≈ +$9,450 per year
Total compensation breakdown
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Defense QA Engineers typically earn $95,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Defense QA Engineer?
Share your real compensation anonymously. Help build the most accurate salary dataset for this role. Your data is never individually exposed.