All QA Engineer dataJoin The Foundry
These figures are estimated using the national median for this role and a verified geographic cost-of-living multiplier for this metro area. Direct survey data is used where available.
QA Engineer in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI
Shift to automated testing (SDET) mandatory for top pay.
National Median: $144,748
Range: $94K – $248K
Avg Total Comp
$170,500
Experience Level
QA Manager median $131k; SDET specialists command 20-30% premium.
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Transition Opportunity
Generalist salaries for QA Engineer are stagnating as the market shifts toward specialized AI execution. Join The Foundry to pivot your career into high-growth technical tracks.