QA Engineer vs Software Engineer salary
In Australia, a qa engineer earns about 13% more than a software engineer — $158,919 vs $140,876 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
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Technology
QA Engineer$158,919/yr
- Monthly
- $13,255
- Hourly
- $76
- Range
- $107,427–$221,863
- 10-yr outlook
- +20%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | QA Engineer | Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $107,427 | $90,147 |
| 25th | $133,173 | $115,546 |
| Median | $158,919 | $140,876 |
| 75th | $190,356 | $171,897 |
| Senior (90th) | $221,863 | $202,848 |
National Australia figures in AUD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a qa engineer or software engineer earn more in Australia?
- A qa engineer earns more, at about $229,000 per year vs $203,000 for a software engineer — roughly 13% ($26,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in Australia?
- A qa engineer typically earns $154,800–$319,700, while a software engineer earns $129,900–$292,300 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in Australia?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a qa engineer averages about $19,100 and a software engineer about $16,900.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in Australia, a qa engineer earns about $154,800 while a software engineer earns about $129,900 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in Australia, a qa engineer earns about $319,700 while a software engineer earns about $292,300 per year.
- Are qa engineer and software engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.