RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

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

Occupation

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in California earn a median of $128,740. In North Dakota, $83,920. After cost-of-living, the gap is 23.3% — not 53.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+53.4%
California vs North Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+23.3%
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

North Dakota

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Median
$83,920
p25
$78,520
p75
$87,380
p10
$63,060
p90
$106,000
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
89.0
See full breakdown for North Dakota

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.