Manual QA Tester.
Little Rock.
$49,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$38,000 to $63,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Manual QA Tester in Little Rock earns a median of $49,000 in 2026. That is 16% below the national average. The range runs from $38,000 to $63,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $44,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$32,000
to $39,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$42,000
to $51,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$54,000
to $64,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$61,000
to $76,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.
Base
$49,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $63,000
How Little Rock compares
Little Rock, AR
$49,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$58,000
Little Rock is $9,000 below
Manual QA Tester salary by city
Salary by role in Little Rock
What you should know
Little Rock's economy is driven by Walmart's nearby headquarters ecosystem, state government, healthcare, and logistics. The metro's extremely low cost of living means even moderate salaries deliver strong purchasing power. Tech jobs are growing as companies seek affordable alternatives to major metros. That is the backdrop for every Manual QA Tester offer you will see here.
One thing people overlook: taxes. Arkansas has a top income tax rate of 4.4%. Little Rock has no city income tax. The combination of low taxes and very affordable housing creates one of the best net pay environments in the country. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.
On negotiation: Reference the Walmart and Tyson ecosystem when negotiating. Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock employers benchmark against national corporate pay scales. The range for Manual QA Testers in Little Rock runs from $38,000 to $63,000. 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
Considering a related role?
- A Graphic Designer in Little Rock earns $50,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Little Rock is Technical Fellow at $296,000
Common questions.
Manual QA Tester salary in other cities
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