SalaryByCity

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

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

Registered Nurses

$93,600

Median annual salary

3,282,010 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 $9,010 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 9.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$60,690$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileRegistered NursesSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$66,030$60,690+$5,340
25th Percentile$78,610$79,520$-910
Median (50th)$93,600$102,610$-9,010
75th Percentile$107,960$131,870$-23,910
90th Percentile$135,320$166,960$-31,640
Mean (Average)$98,430$110,260$-11,830

Employment Numbers

Registered Nurses

3,282,010

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Registered Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$208,940
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$188,020
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$169,210
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$133,440
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$133,090

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: Registered Nurses or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,010 (9.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
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 Registered Nurses and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,282,010 Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Registered Nurses has a median salary of $93,600 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