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5.7Salary Ranges and Market Positioning
Compensation varies widely by geography, company size, and industry. These are general guidance ranges for the US market as of 2025-2026.
| Level | IC Track | Management Track | Specialist Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-2 years) | $55,000-$80,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Mid (2-5 years) | $80,000-$120,000 | $90,000-$130,000 | $90,000-$130,000 |
| Senior (5-8 years) | $120,000-$165,000 | $130,000-$175,000 | $130,000-$180,000 |
| Staff/Director (8+ years) | $160,000-$220,000 | $170,000-$250,000 | $170,000-$230,000 |
| Principal/VP (12+ years) | $200,000-$300,000+ | $220,000-$350,000+ | $200,000-$280,000+ |
Factors that increase compensation:
- FAANG / Big Tech companies (1.5-2x multiplier)
- High cost-of-living markets (SF, NYC, Seattle)
- In-demand specializations (security, performance, AI/ML testing)
- Combination of technical depth and leadership ability
Factors that decrease compensation:
- Non-tech industries (unless regulated)
- Low cost-of-living markets
- Purely manual testing roles (shrinking market)
- Companies that do not distinguish QA levels