SOC 15-1253 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers — Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Wilmington, NC is $86,200 a year, trailing the national median of $104,300 by 17.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Wilmington, NC is $86,200 a year, trailing the national median of $104,300 by 17.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $61,190 and $105,520. The lowest tenth earn under $38,100, while the highest tenth earn more than $124,150.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $122,980. Of the 413 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 78th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,100 | −63.5% |
| 25th | $61,190 | −41.3% |
| Median (50th) | $86,200 | −17.4% |
| 75th | $105,520 | +1.2% |
| 90th | $124,150 | +19.0% |
| Mean | $85,420 | −18.1% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $122,980 | 950 | |
| 2 | Asheville | $114,510 | 100 | |
| 3 | Raleigh | $110,800 | 1,760 | |
| 4 | Pinehurst | $101,140 | 40 | |
| 5 | Greensboro | $99,340 | 270 | |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $97,520 | 80 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $93,540 | 50 | |
| 8 | Greenville | $85,930 | 40 | |
| 9 | Charlotte | $81,990 | 3,900 | |
| 10 | Winston-Salem | $69,390 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wilmington run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $86,200 goes as far as $91,410 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$86,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$91,410US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $86,200 a year, 17.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,100 to $124,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $122,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers in Wilmington, NC?
The median annual wage is $86,200, or $41.44 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 Wilmington, NC is 17.4% 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 Wilmington, NC earns more than $124,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,100 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 Durham, at $122,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Wilmington, NC. 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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