Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$102,610
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn $65,130 more per year than Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals — that's 63.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Architectural and Engineering Managers$111,450 – N/A
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$60,690$166,960
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $111,450 | $60,690 | +$50,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,930 | $79,520 | +$55,410 |
| Median (50th) | $167,740 | $102,610 | +$65,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $207,210 | $131,870 | +$75,340 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $166,960 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $175,710 | $110,260 | +$65,450 |
Employment Numbers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
210,340
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Architectural and Engineering Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $226,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $208,580 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $189,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $185,550 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $183,640 |
Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Architectural and Engineering Managers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $65,130 (63.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers salaries range from $111,450 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $167,740.
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Architectural and Engineering Managers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 210,340 Architectural and Engineering Managers positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Architectural and Engineering Managers has a median salary of $167,740 while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS