QA Engineer Salary in San Francisco
Median salary for a QA Engineer in San Francisco is $147k per year. Hire remotely via KiteHR and save 52% — or $76k annually.
Local Median
$147k
Remote Median
$71k
You Save
52%
Annual Savings
$76k
Local vs. Remote Salary Comparison
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Local (San Francisco) | Remote |
|---|---|---|
| P25 — Entry level | $110k | $63k |
| P50 — Median | $147k | $71k |
| P75 — Senior / Lead | $191k | $78k |
Total Employer Cost
Salary + estimated benefits, payroll taxes, and overhead (30% local / 15% remote).
In-person in San Francisco
$191k
/year total cost
Remote via KiteHR
$81k
/year total cost
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average QA Engineer salary in San Francisco?
The median QA Engineer salary in San Francisco is $147k per year. Entry-level roles start around $110k, while senior or lead-level QA Engineers can earn up to $191k. Data reflects 2025 market rates sourced from BLS OES, DOL H-1B LCA disclosures, and KiteHR market research.
How much can I save hiring a remote QA Engineer?
Hiring a remote QA Engineer vs. a San Francisco-based hire saves approximately 52% — or $76k per year. Remote Engineering professionals typically earn $71k median, compared to the local San Francisco rate of $147k.
Is it common to hire a remote QA Engineer?
Yes — Engineering roles like QA Engineer have a high degree of remote compatibility. Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia have deep talent pools for this category. KiteHR can help you post the role, screen candidates, and manage the hiring pipeline entirely online.
What is the total employer cost for a QA Engineer in San Francisco?
The total employer cost — including salary, payroll taxes, health benefits, and overhead — for a QA Engineer in San Francisco is approximately $191k per year. Hiring remote reduces this to roughly $81k, saving $110k annually.
Savings Calculator
How many QA Engineers are you hiring in San Francisco?
Annual savings with remote team
$229k
$76k per role × 3 hires
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- Demand in San Francisco
- medium
- Category
- Engineering
- Data year
- 2025
- Currency
- USD
Other Engineering Roles in San Francisco
Data sourced from BLS OES, DOL H-1B LCA disclosures, and KiteHR market research. Figures are estimates and may vary by company, seniority, and experience level.
QA Engineer Salary in Other Cities
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