SalaryByCity

Graphic Designers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Graphic Designers

$61,300

Median annual salary

214,260 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 $41,310 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 67.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Graphic Designers earns $103,030 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$37,600$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileGraphic DesignersSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$37,600$60,690$-23,090
25th Percentile$47,200$79,520$-32,320
Median (50th)$61,300$102,610$-41,310
75th Percentile$79,000$131,870$-52,870
90th Percentile$103,030$166,960$-63,930
Mean (Average)$68,610$110,260$-41,650

Employment Numbers

Graphic Designers

214,260

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Graphic Designers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$98,530
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$89,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$82,630
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$82,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$78,000

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: Graphic Designers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $41,310 (67.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
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 Graphic Designers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers 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 Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 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