RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary: California vs Iowa

Occupation

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in California earn a median of $128,740. In Iowa, $88,590. After cost-of-living, the gap is 15.3% — not 45.3%.

Nominal pay gap
+45.3%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+15.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Median
$128,740
p25
$93,530
p75
$165,530
p10
$65,890
p90
$201,070
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-33%
See full breakdown for California

Iowa

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Median
$88,590
p25
$76,270
p75
$105,930
p10
$55,640
p90
$126,290
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
87.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
-33%
See full breakdown for Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.