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QA Engineer Salary in Columbus, Ohio

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$88,662/ year

Median QA Engineer in Columbus, OH

$51,816
10th
$63,190
25th
$88,662
Median
$117,480
75th
$143,326
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$88,662
Total compensation (est.)
$101,961
Bonus range
$3,550 – $15,840
Mean salary
$93,982

How This Compares

Columbus, OH median
$88,662
Ohio median
$101,612-12.7%
National median
$99,620-11.0%

Cost of living in Columbus is 11% below the national average. Salary of $88,662 here is equivalent to $99,620 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$63,837-28.0%
3-5 years
$80,682-9.0%
6-10 years
$99,301+12.0%
10+ years
$122,354+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$78,023-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$88,662
Enterprise (5,000+)
$104,621+18.0%

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QA Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Cleveland, OH$84,677/yr
Cincinnati, OH$85,673/yr
Toledo, OH$99,620/yr
Akron, OH$99,620/yr
Dayton, OH$99,620/yr

Related Jobs in Columbus

Software Engineer$115,842/yr
Senior Software Engineer$115,842/yr
Frontend Developer$111,152/yr
Backend Developer$115,842/yr
Full Stack Developer$115,842/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$43/hr
Monthly gross$7,389/mo
25th percentile$63,190/yr
75th percentile$117,480/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 Columbus?

The median QA Engineer salary in Columbus is $88,662 per year, with a range from $63,190 at the 25th percentile to $117,480 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 Columbus compare to the national average?

QA Engineer salaries in Columbus are 11% below the national median of $99,620. After adjusting for Columbus'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 Columbus?

In Columbus, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level QA Engineer roles start around $51,816, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $143,326 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Columbus a good place for QA Engineer jobs?

Columbus offers a QA Engineer median of $88,662, which is 11% below the US median of $99,620. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Columbus is 11% 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 Columbus is $117,480, 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.