RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary: California vs Michigan

Occupation

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in California earn a median of $128,740. In Michigan, $98,720. After cost-of-living, the gap is 13.3% — not 30.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+30.4%
California vs Michigan
COL-adjusted gap
+13.3%
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

Michigan

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Median
$98,720
p25
$74,640
p75
$115,500
p10
$52,460
p90
$135,830
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
96.2
Hiring velocity (180d)
-49%
See full breakdown for Michigan

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.