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5.3Researching Your Market Value
Never enter a negotiation without data. You need to know what the market pays for your role, level, experience, and location.
Data Sources
| Source | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Levels.fyi | Total compensation at tech companies, verified data | Skews toward large tech companies |
| Glassdoor | Salary ranges across industries and company sizes | Self-reported, can be outdated |
| Blind | Anonymous, candid compensation discussions | Tech industry focus, can be noisy |
| Payscale | Salary data by role, experience, and location | Less granular for QA-specific roles |
| LinkedIn Salary | Range estimates based on job postings | Aggregated and sometimes imprecise |
| Hired.com salary reports | Annual market reports for tech roles | High-level trends, not company-specific |
| Your network | Peers at similar companies and levels | Most accurate, hardest to get |
Building Your Compensation Profile
Create a document with:
- Your target range: Based on research, what is the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile for your role/level/location?
- Your walkaway number: Below this, you will decline. Know this before you negotiate.
- Your target number: This is the 75th percentile or above, the number you aim for.
- Your anchor number: This is 10-15% above your target. You open with this because anchoring works.
- Comparable offers: If you have multiple offers, document them. Competing offers are the strongest negotiation lever.
QA Compensation Benchmarks (2026, US)
These ranges vary significantly by location, company size, and industry. Use them as starting points for your research, not as definitive numbers.
| Level | Base Salary Range (US) | Total Compensation Range |
|---|---|---|
| Junior QA Engineer (0-2 years) | $65,000 - $90,000 | $70,000 - $100,000 |
| Mid QA Engineer (2-5 years) | $90,000 - $130,000 | $100,000 - $160,000 |
| Senior QA Engineer (5-8 years) | $130,000 - $175,000 | $150,000 - $230,000 |
| Staff/Principal QA Engineer | $170,000 - $220,000 | $200,000 - $320,000 |
| QA Manager | $140,000 - $190,000 | $160,000 - $260,000 |
| QA Director | $180,000 - $250,000 | $220,000 - $400,000 |
Note: Top-tier tech companies (FAANG, similar) pay significantly above these ranges. Adjust for your target market.