SalaryByCity

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

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

Management Analysts

$101,190

Median annual salary

893,900 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 $1,420 more per year than Management Analysts professionals — that's 1.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Management Analysts earns $174,140 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Management Analysts$59,720 – $174,140
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$59,720$174,140

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileManagement AnalystsSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$59,720$60,690$-970
25th Percentile$76,770$79,520$-2,750
Median (50th)$101,190$102,610$-1,420
75th Percentile$133,140$131,870+$1,270
90th Percentile$174,140$166,960+$7,180
Mean (Average)$114,710$110,260+$4,450

Employment Numbers

Management Analysts

893,900

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Management Analysts

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$141,150
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$134,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$129,900
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$128,120
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$125,820

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: Management Analysts or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,420 (1.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Management Analysts?
Management Analysts salaries range from $59,720 (10th percentile) to $174,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,190.
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 Management Analysts and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 893,900 Management Analysts 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 Management Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Management Analysts has a median salary of $101,190 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