RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary: California vs North Carolina

Occupation

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in California earn a median of $128,740. In North Carolina, $100,390. After cost-of-living, the gap is 9.2% — not 28.2%.

Nominal pay gap
+28.2%
California vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+9.2%
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

North Carolina

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Median
$100,390
p25
$74,250
p75
$128,190
p10
$61,190
p90
$148,710
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
94.3
Hiring velocity (180d)
-38%
See full breakdown for North Carolina

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.