SOC 15-1253 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers — West Central Illinois
West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in West Central Illinois, IL is $80,840 a year, trailing the national median of $104,300 by 22.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West Central Illinois, IL is $80,840 a year, trailing the national median of $104,300 by 22.5%. Half of workers earn between $66,940 and $94,830. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $58,290 and the ninetieth at $119,010.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.18 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Chicago leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $105,580. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 57th of 372 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,290 | −44.1% |
| 25th | $66,940 | −35.8% |
| Median (50th) | $80,840 | −22.5% |
| 75th | $94,830 | −9.1% |
| 90th | $119,010 | +14.1% |
| Mean | $83,410 | −20.0% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $105,580 | 5,010 | |
| 2 | Bloomington | $102,070 | 240 | |
| 3 | Springfield | $96,800 | 50 | |
| 4 | Peoria | $96,700 | 80 | |
| 5 | Rockford | $96,020 | 40 | |
| 6 | Champaign | $86,130 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Central Illinois sit close to the national average, so $80,840 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$80,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,840US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,840 a year, 22.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,290 to $119,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $105,580.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in West Central Illinois, IL?
The median annual wage is $80,840, or $38.87 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,300, so pay in West Central Illinois, IL is 22.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in West Central Illinois, IL earns more than $119,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,290 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Chicago, at $105,580 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in West Central Illinois, IL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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