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  1. Home/
  2. Salaries/
  3. Lead QA Manager/
  4. Minneapolis

Lead QA Manager.

Minneapolis.

$195,000

median salary, 7% above the national average

$152,000 to $254,000. Last updated April 2026.

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Data points to own the conversation.

Lead QA Manager pay in Minneapolis ranges from $152,000 to $254,000 in 2026. The median is $195,000, 7% above the national average. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$152,000

per year

Median

$195,000

per year

75th Percentile

$254,000

per year

Where do you fall?

$152,000$254,000

Salary by experience

The gap between entry and lead level is typically $175,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$127,000

to $156,000

Mid (3-5 yrs)

$166,000

to $205,000

Senior (6-9 yrs)

$215,000

to $254,000

Lead (10+ yrs)

$244,000

to $302,000

Salary trend

+5% YoY
$160,000
2022
$168,000
2023
$177,000
2024
$186,000
2025
$195,000
2026

Total compensation

Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $46,000 to the total package.

Base

$195,000

Equity

$25,000

Bonus

$17,000

Signing

$4,000

Estimated total: $241,000

How Minneapolis compares

Minneapolis, MN

$195,000

Cost of living: 5% above average

National Average

$182,000

Minneapolis is $13,000 above

Lead QA Manager salary by city

Lead QA Manager salary comparison across 10 cities
CityMedianRangeCOLAdjusted
San Jose, CA$259,000$202,000 – $337,0001.38x$188,000
Honolulu, HI$244,000$190,000 – $317,0001.30x$188,000
New York, NY$242,000$189,000 – $315,0001.28x$189,000
San Francisco, CA$236,000$184,000 – $307,0001.35x$175,000
Seattle, WA$230,000$180,000 – $300,0001.24x$185,000
Boston, MA$229,000$178,000 – $298,0001.22x$188,000
Los Angeles, CA$223,000$174,000 – $291,0001.18x$189,000
Washington DC, DC$223,000$174,000 – $290,0001.25x$178,000
Arlington, VA$222,000$173,000 – $289,0001.22x$182,000
Minneapolis, MN$195,000$152,000 – $254,0001.05x$186,000

See all 81 cities for Lead QA Manager →

Salary by role in Minneapolis

Salary comparison by role in Minneapolis
RoleMedianRange
Principal Quantitative Researcher$364,000$284,000 – $473,000
Technical Fellow$360,000$281,000 – $468,000
Chief Security Officer$360,000$281,000 – $468,000
Lead QA Manager$195,000$152,000 – $254,000
IP Attorney$195,000$148,000 – $258,000
Machine Learning Researcher$195,000$146,000 – $258,000
Senior Backend Engineer$195,000$153,000 – $254,000
Senior SDK Engineer$195,000$153,000 – $254,000

What you should know

Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. That is the backdrop for every Lead QA Manager offer you will see here.

One thing people overlook: taxes. Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.

On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for Lead QA Managers in Minneapolis runs from $152,000 to $254,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology

Interactive

Is your offer competitive?

Enter your Lead QA Manager offer to see where you stand in Minneapolis.

$

25th

$152,000

Median

$195,000

75th

$254,000

Considering a related role?

  • A AI Transformation Lead in Minneapolis earns $196,000 (1% more)
  • The highest-paying role in Minneapolis is Principal Quantitative Researcher at $364,000

Common questions.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Total compensation often exceeds base salary by 20 to 40%. In Minneapolis's market, these extras can add $48,750 or more on top of the base salary.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a Lead QA Manager's base salary in Minneapolis. Industry recognized credentials signal commitment and expertise to employers. In a market where the range spans $152,000 to $254,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the 50th and 75th percentile.

Lead QA Manager compensation in Minneapolis has trended upward as demand outpaces supply. The 2026 range of $152,000 to $254,000 reflects a market that rewards specialization. Candidates with high demand skills see the steepest gains.

Total compensation for Lead QA Managers typically exceeds base salary by 20 to 40% when factoring in bonuses, equity, and benefits. In Minneapolis's market, the base range of $152,000 to $254,000 is just the starting point for negotiation.

It depends on the position and employer. Many Lead QA Managers in Minneapolis are classified as exempt salaried employees without overtime eligibility. However, performance bonuses of 10 to 20% are common. When evaluating the $152,000 to $254,000 range, ask about the total compensation structure during negotiation.

Entry level Lead QA Manager positions in Minneapolis typically start near $152,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $195,000.

Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When comparing offers across states, your take home pay matters more than the number on the offer letter. A lower salary in a no income tax state can net more than a higher one elsewhere.

Lead QA Manager salary in other cities

Austin$191,000
Atlanta$180,000
Anchorage$204,000
Albuquerque$162,000
Arlington$222,000
Albany$175,000

Other salaries in Minneapolis

Senior Data Scientist (AI-Specialized)$186,000
Sheet Metal Worker$59,000
Surgical Technologist$60,000
Store Manager / Retail Manager$59,000

Related

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Cite this data

Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.

"Lead QA Manager Salary in Minneapolis, MN." Orbyt Salary Explorer, April 2026. https://www.orbytjobs.ai/salaries/lead-qa-manager/minneapolis

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