QA Engineer vs Software Engineer salary
In United Arab Emirates, a software engineer earns about 43% more than a qa engineer — $135,602 vs $94,758 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AED). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Technology
Software Engineer$135,602/yr
- Monthly
- $11,300
- Hourly
- $65
- Range
- $86,780–$195,262
- 10-yr outlook
- +17%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | QA Engineer | Software Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $64,044 | $86,780 |
| 25th | $79,401 | $111,205 |
| Median | $94,758 | $135,602 |
| 75th | $113,519 | $165,446 |
| Senior (90th) | $132,280 | $195,262 |
National United Arab Emirates figures in AED. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Technology comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a qa engineer or software engineer earn more in United Arab Emirates?
- A software engineer earns more, at about AED 498,000 per year vs AED 348,000 for a qa engineer — roughly 43% (AED 150,000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in United Arab Emirates?
- A qa engineer typically earns AED 235,200–AED 485,800, while a software engineer earns AED 318,700–AED 717,100 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in United Arab Emirates?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a qa engineer averages about AED 29,000 and a software engineer about AED 41,500.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a qa engineer earns about AED 235,200 while a software engineer earns about AED 318,700 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in United Arab Emirates, a qa engineer earns about AED 485,800 while a software engineer earns about AED 717,100 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.