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QA Engineer Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$84,677/ year

Median QA Engineer in Cleveland, OH

$49,487
10th
$60,350
25th
$84,677
Median
$112,200
75th
$136,884
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$84,677
Total compensation (est.)
$97,379
Bonus range
$3,550 – $15,840
Mean salary
$89,758

How This Compares

Cleveland, OH median
$84,677
Ohio median
$101,612-16.7%
National median
$99,620-15.0%

Cost of living in Cleveland is 15% below the national average. Salary of $84,677 here is equivalent to $99,620 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$60,967-28.0%
3-5 years
$77,056-9.0%
6-10 years
$94,838+12.0%
10+ years
$116,854+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$74,516-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$84,677
Enterprise (5,000+)
$99,919+18.0%

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QA Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Columbus, OH$88,662/yr
Cincinnati, OH$85,673/yr
Toledo, OH$99,620/yr
Akron, OH$99,620/yr
Dayton, OH$99,620/yr

Related Jobs in Cleveland

Software Engineer$110,636/yr
Senior Software Engineer$110,636/yr
Frontend Developer$106,157/yr
Backend Developer$110,636/yr
Full Stack Developer$110,636/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$41/hr
Monthly gross$7,056/mo
25th percentile$60,350/yr
75th percentile$112,200/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Ohio Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.5%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

QA Engineer Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average QA Engineer salary in Cleveland?

The median QA Engineer salary in Cleveland is $84,677 per year, with a range from $60,350 at the 25th percentile to $112,200 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does QA Engineer pay in Cleveland compare to the national average?

QA Engineer salaries in Cleveland are 15% below the national median of $99,620. After adjusting for Cleveland's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $99,620 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect QA Engineer salaries in Cleveland?

In Cleveland, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level QA Engineer roles start around $49,487, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $136,884 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Cleveland a good place for QA Engineer jobs?

Cleveland offers a QA Engineer median of $84,677, which is 15% below the US median of $99,620. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Cleveland is 15% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher QA Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for QA Engineer in Cleveland is $112,200, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.