RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary: California vs Tennessee

Occupation

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in California earn a median of $128,740. In Tennessee, $91,040. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.4% — not 41.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+41.4%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+17.4%
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

Tennessee

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Median
$91,040
p25
$75,570
p75
$105,000
p10
$61,580
p90
$125,760
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
91.9
Hiring velocity (180d)
-40%
See full breakdown for Tennessee

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.