SalaryByCity

Computer Network Support Specialists vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Computer Network Support Specialists

$73,340

Median annual salary

146,450 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $29,270 more per year than Computer Network Support Specialists professionals — that's 39.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Network Support Specialists earns $124,470 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Computer Network Support Specialists$46,010 – $124,470
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$46,010$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileComputer Network Support SpecialistsSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$46,010$60,690$-14,680
25th Percentile$56,720$79,520$-22,800
Median (50th)$73,340$102,610$-29,270
75th Percentile$95,710$131,870$-36,160
90th Percentile$124,470$166,960$-42,490
Mean (Average)$79,610$110,260$-30,650

Employment Numbers

Computer Network Support Specialists

146,450

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Computer Network Support Specialists

CityMedian
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$104,130
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$98,670
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$98,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$97,200
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$88,980

Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
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: Computer Network Support Specialists or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $29,270 (39.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Support Specialists?
Computer Network Support Specialists salaries range from $46,010 (10th percentile) to $124,470 (90th percentile), with a median of $73,340.
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 Computer Network Support Specialists and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 146,450 Computer Network Support Specialists 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 Computer Network Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Network Support Specialists has a median salary of $73,340 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