Manual QA engineer: cost by country
Designs and executes test cases by hand, reports and verifies defects. Computed .
The median total employer cost of a senior manual QA engineer runs from USD 17,189Confidence B in Vietnam to USD 158,174Confidence B in Switzerland a year, USD at the dataset exchange rate.
Senior is the level published in the most countries for this role (11 of 16); the range and the map use senior figures only, and the table lists every published level.
Map
- USD 17,189 to USD 33,271
- USD 37,154 to USD 38,668
- USD 65,135 to USD 75,255
- USD 86,412 to USD 101,968
- USD 113,635 to USD 158,174
- not published
By country and level
| Country | Junior | Mid-level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | USD 19,071Confidence B | not published | not published |
| Colombia | not published | not published | USD 37,154Confidence B |
| Germany | USD 67,322Confidence B | USD 70,309Confidence B | USD 86,412Confidence B |
| Hungary | not published | not published | USD 65,135Confidence B |
| Ireland | USD 52,576Confidence B | not published | USD 75,255Confidence B |
| Israel | not published | not published | USD 113,635Confidence B |
| Mexico | USD 17,402Confidence B | USD 21,444Confidence B | USD 31,572Confidence B |
| Norway | not published | USD 78,388Confidence B | USD 101,968Confidence B |
| Philippines | USD 8,847Confidence B | not published | not published |
| Portugal | not published | USD 37,331Confidence B | not published |
| South Africa | not published | USD 23,169Confidence B | USD 33,271Confidence B |
| Spain | USD 36,704Confidence B | USD 50,666Confidence B | not published |
| Switzerland | not published | not published | USD 158,174Confidence B |
| United Arab Emirates | not published | not published | USD 38,668Confidence B |
| United States | USD 85,626Confidence B | USD 107,256Confidence B | not published |
| Vietnam | not published | not published | USD 17,189Confidence B |
The letter after each figure is its confidence grade (A, B or C, from the number and agreement of the sources); how grades work.
Sources for the figures in this table: [1] to [171] in the source list below.
How the cost differs between countries
Two inputs move the total most: the base salary, which comes from salary sources in each country, and the employer contributions (social security and payroll taxes the employer pays on top of salary), which follow each country's statute. Equipment and tooling are list prices in USD and weigh more where salaries are lower. Each country page lists its statutory rates.
Sources
- Talently. Salario de un QA Engineer en Argentina
- InfoLEG, Ministerio de Justicia. Ley 27.541 de Solidaridad Social y Reactivacion Productiva
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Argentina - Corporate - Other taxes
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Argentina - Individual - Other taxes
- InfoLEG, Ministerio de Justicia. Ley 20.744 de Contrato de Trabajo (texto actualizado)
- Apple. Buy MacBook Air
- Apple. Buy MacBook Pro
- Testing tool list price (vendor not named)
- Testing tool list price (vendor not named)
- Linear. Linear pricing
- Manatal. Recruitment fees (agency fee guide)
- Apollo Technical. What is a placement fee for engineering hiring
- HeroHunt.ai. True Cost to Hire an AI Engineer in 2026
- Banco Central de la Republica Argentina. Estadisticas cambiarias: cotizaciones USD
- ERI SalaryExpert. SalaryExpert - QA Engineer Salary in Colombia (2026)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Colombia - Individual - Other taxes
- Secretaria del Senado. Ley 100 de 1993, Art. 20 Monto de las cotizaciones
- Secretaria del Senado. Ley 100 de 1993, Art. 204 Monto y distribucion de las cotizaciones
- Secretaria del Senado. Estatuto Tributario, Art. 114-1 Exoneracion de aportes
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Colombia - Corporate - Other taxes
- Departamento Administrativo de la Funcion Publica (Gestor Normativo). Ley 21 de 1982 (subsidio familiar)
- Ministerio del Trabajo (via ICFES normograma). Concepto Ministerio del Trabajo 0220783 de 2015
- Secretaria del Senado. Codigo Sustantivo del Trabajo, Art. 306 Prima de servicios
- Secretaria del Senado. Codigo Sustantivo del Trabajo, Art. 249 Auxilio de cesantia
- Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (official TRM, datos.gov.co). Tasa de Cambio Representativa del Mercado (TRM)
- StepStone. Junior Tester/in Gehälter Deutschland 2026
- jobvector. Softwaretester Gehalt
- Deutsche Rentenversicherung Knappschaft-Bahn-See. Sozialversicherungsrechengrößen 2026
- Die Bundesregierung. Rechengrößen in der Sozialversicherung
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Germany - Individual - Other taxes
- Techniker Krankenkasse. Die Insolvenzgeldumlage 2026
- Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG). Gefahrtarif 2022
- Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft (VBG), hosted by Steuerberaterkammer Stuttgart. Verbandsrundschreiben zu den Beiträgen 2025 und den Beitragsvorschüssen 2026 (VBG, 08.04.2026)
- BARMER. Umlage- und Erstattungssätze
- DAK-Gesundheit. Umlage: Wie hoch sind die Umlagesätze U1 und U2?
- Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de). Bundesurlaubsgesetz § 3 Dauer des Urlaubs
- Deutscher Bundestag. Bundestag Drucksache 20/3615 (answer on statutory public holidays)
- European Central Bank. Euro foreign exchange reference rates
- StepStone. Senior QA Engineer Gehälter Deutschland 2026
- Recruiter salary guide (not named)
- ERI SalaryExpert. Software QA Tester Salary in Hungary (2025) - ERI SalaryExpert
- Nemzeti Adó- és Vámhivatal (NAV). A szociális hozzájárulási adó (Közzétéve: 2026. 01. 16.)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Hungary - Individual - Other taxes
- Wolters Kluwer Hungary (net.jogtar.hu, free consolidated statute text). 2012. évi I. törvény a munka törvénykönyvéről - Hatályos Jogszabályok Gyűjteménye
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Ireland - Individual - Other taxes
- Law Society of Ireland. Universal Social Charge and PRSI
- Department of Social Protection (gov.ie). Auto-enrolment retirement savings system for employers
- Mason Hayes & Curran. Auto-enrolment
- Law Reform Commission (Revised Acts, official consolidated statute text). Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, Section 19 (Revised Acts)
- Workplace Relations Commission. Public Holidays - Workplace Relations Commission
- Ethosia. טבלאות וסקרי שכר - אתוסיה
- Drushim (data: Jobinfo). טבלאות שכר 2026 תוכנה - SOFTWARE
- Recruiter salary guide (not named)
- National Insurance Institute of Israel (Bituach Leumi). Insurance contribution rates for salaried employees
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Israel - Individual - Other taxes
- Government of Israel (gov.il). SEC version A (When Employer is the PWD) - Hebrew - English - 2026
- National Insurance Institute of Israel (Bituach Leumi). Average Wage under article 1,2 of National Insurance Law
- WorkMotion. Israel employment guide
- Ministry of Labor (gov.il). Provisions for Severance Pay
- Barnea Jaffa Lande Law Offices. Update for Employers: Increase in Israeli Convalescence Pay Rate
- Talently. Salario de un QA en México
- El Contribuyente. Cuotas Obrero Patronales 2026
- Praxium Consultores. Cuotas IMSS obrero patronales 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Mexico - Corporate - Other taxes
- Forvis Mazars Mexico. Incremento al Impuesto sobre Nomina en la CDMX para 2025
- Gobierno de Mexico (Camara de Diputados text). Ley Federal del Trabajo (texto con ultima reforma DOF 12-06-2015)
- Remote. Employment in Mexico
- BHR Mexico (accounting and legal firm). Reforma en Materia de Vacaciones Dignas
- ERI SalaryExpert. QA Tester Salary in Mexico (2026) - ERI SalaryExpert
- Glassdoor. Sueldo: Senior Qa Tester en México 2025
- ERI SalaryExpert. Software Test Engineer Salary in Norway (2026) - SalaryExpert
- Skatteetaten. Arbeidsgiveravgift - satser 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Norway - Individual - Other taxes
- Lovdata. Lov om ferie (ferieloven)
- Lawphil (statute text). Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018)
- Grant Thornton Philippines. SSS implements revised contribution rates for 2025
- Triple i Consulting. SSS Contribution Table 2025: New Rates and How to Compute for Your Employees
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. PhilHealth Advisory No. 2025-0002
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. PhilHealth Circular No. 2020-0005 Premium Contribution Schedule (Revision 1)
- iScale Solutions. PhilHealth Contribution Guide 2026
- Home Development Mutual Fund (copy hosted by Grant Thornton). Pag-IBIG Fund Circular No. 460: Guidelines on the implementation of increase in the MFS effective February 2024
- Forvis Mazars Philippines. PAG-IBIG increases the Maximum Fund Salary and shares new monthly contribution rates in the Philippines
- Lawphil (statute text). Presidential Decree No. 851 (13th-month pay)
- ERI SalaryExpert. QA Engineer Salary in Portugal (2026) - ERI SalaryExpert
- Segurança Social. Trabalhadores por conta de outrem - seg-social.pt
- Diário da República. Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Portugal - Individual - Other taxes
- Procuradoria-Geral Regional de Lisboa (consolidated legislation). Código do Trabalho, Artigo 263.º Subsídio de Natal
- Procuradoria-Geral Regional de Lisboa (consolidated legislation). Código do Trabalho, Artigo 264.º Retribuição do período de férias e subsídio
- SalaryExpert (ERI). Test Analyst Salary in South Africa (2026) - SalaryExpert
- South African Revenue Service. Unemployment Insurance Fund
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. South Africa - Individual - Other taxes
- South African Revenue Service. Skills Development Levy
- Department of Employment and Labour, Government Gazette (gov.za). Correction of the Regulations on Compensation Fund's Employer Assessment Model (Schedule A: Tariffs of Assessment), Government Gazette No. 44409
- Department of Employment and Labour, Government Gazette (gov.za). Maximum amount of earnings and minimum assessment on which the assessment of an employer shall be calculated (General Notice 3910, Government Gazette No. 54577)
- SimplePay. COID ROE Annual Limit Increase
- South African Government (gov.za). Public holidays in South Africa
- Glassdoor. Sueldo: Junior Qa Tester (Abril, 2026)
- Seguridad Social (TGSS). Bases y tipos de cotización 2026
- conversoriaecnae.es (reproduces D.A. 61ª TRLGSS, Cuadro I). Tarifas de cotización AT/EP - CNAE 62 Programación, consultoría y otras actividades relacionadas con la informática
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Spain - Individual - Other taxes
- Boletín Oficial del Estado. Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2015, texto refundido de la Ley del Estatuto de los Trabajadores
- Bundesamt für Sozialversicherungen (BSV). Schweizerische Sozialversicherungen - synoptische Tabelle der anwendbaren Beitrags- und Prämiensätze, Stand 1.1.2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Switzerland - Individual - Other taxes
- ch.ch (Swiss Confederation, cantons and communes). Holidays and public holidays
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. United Arab Emirates - Individual - Other taxes
- General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA). GPSSA explains how contributions are calculated in accordance to the applicable law
- National Bank of Ukraine. Official hryvnia exchange rate against foreign currencies
- National Bank of Georgia. Official exchange rates of the lari
- Built In. 2026 QA Engineer Salary in US | Built In
- Internal Revenue Service. Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. United States - Corporate - Other taxes
- Internal Revenue Service. Topic no. 759, Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return
- U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. UI Data Summary, 2nd Quarter 2026 Summary Tables
- Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services. Oregon Workers' Compensation Premium Rate Ranking (rates in effect January 1, 2024)
- U.S. Department of Labor. Vacation Leave
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Vietnam - Individual - Other taxes
- Rödl & Partner. Vietnam: increase of statutory base salary
- Vietnam Briefing (Dezan Shira & Associates). Vietnam Raises Statutory Basic Salary From July 2026: Implications for Employers
- Luật sư Việt Nam (journal of the Vietnam Bar Federation). Mỗi người sẽ có bao nhiêu ngày nghỉ phép năm theo quy định tại BLLĐ 2019?
- National Assembly of Vietnam (text copy hosted by Sài Gòn Giải Phóng). Nghị quyết về phát triển văn hóa Việt Nam (Resolution 28/2026/QH16 on developing Vietnamese culture)
- State Bank of Vietnam. Ty gia trung tam (central exchange rate)
Formula v1.0How each component is computed
version: 1.0
total_annual_cost =
base_salary
+ employer_contributions # statutory rates applied to base with caps; per country
+ mandatory_benefits # 13th or 14th salary, paid leave value above base, mandatory insurance; per country
+ voluntary_benefits # health, pension top-up, meal and transport; market survey medians per country and level; shown as a separate line
+ equipment_and_tooling # laptop amortised over 3 years, licences, test devices for mobile roles; per level and role
+ recruiting_cost_amortised # recruiting cost / expected tenure years; per country, role and model
+ onboarding_ramp # ramp_weeks x weekly cost x (1 - productivity_factor); per level
first_year_cost = total_annual_cost - recruiting_cost_amortised + recruiting_cost - onboarding_ramp_amortised + onboarding_ramp
monthly_cost = total_annual_cost / 12
hourly_equivalent = total_annual_cost / productive_hours
# Defaults (overridable per country in data with a source)
expected_tenure_years: 2.5
productive_hours: 1,700 per year, adjusted by statutory paid leave per country
ramp_weeks: junior 10, mid 6, senior 4
productivity_factor_during_ramp: 0.5
equipment_amortisation_years: 3
# Hiring models
employee: full formula
contractor: contractor_rate x hours + platform_or_eor_fee; no employer_contributions, no mandatory_benefits unless the EOR passes them through (sourced); recruiting as for employee; ramp as for employee
outsourced: published vendor monthly or hourly rate per role and region; no recruiting, no ramp, no equipment; show typical minimum engagement from sources
# Output per combination
p25, median, p75 for each component and for the totals, in local currency and USD at fx.json date; confidence grade; source ids; computedOnFormula v1.0
version: 1.0
total_annual_cost =
base_salary
+ employer_contributions # statutory rates applied to base with caps; per country
+ mandatory_benefits # 13th or 14th salary, paid leave value above base, mandatory insurance; per country
+ voluntary_benefits # health, pension top-up, meal and transport; market survey medians per country and level; shown as a separate line
+ equipment_and_tooling # laptop amortised over 3 years, licences, test devices for mobile roles; per level and role
+ recruiting_cost_amortised # recruiting cost / expected tenure years; per country, role and model
+ onboarding_ramp # ramp_weeks x weekly cost x (1 - productivity_factor); per level
first_year_cost = total_annual_cost - recruiting_cost_amortised + recruiting_cost - onboarding_ramp_amortised + onboarding_ramp
monthly_cost = total_annual_cost / 12
hourly_equivalent = total_annual_cost / productive_hours
# Defaults (overridable per country in data with a source)
expected_tenure_years: 2.5
productive_hours: 1,700 per year, adjusted by statutory paid leave per country
ramp_weeks: junior 10, mid 6, senior 4
productivity_factor_during_ramp: 0.5
equipment_amortisation_years: 3
# Hiring models
employee: full formula
contractor: contractor_rate x hours + platform_or_eor_fee; no employer_contributions, no mandatory_benefits unless the EOR passes them through (sourced); recruiting as for employee; ramp as for employee
outsourced: published vendor monthly or hourly rate per role and region; no recruiting, no ramp, no equipment; show typical minimum engagement from sources
# Output per combination
p25, median, p75 for each component and for the totals, in local currency and USD at fx.json date; confidence grade; source ids; computedOnQuestions
- How much does a manual QA engineer cost?
- At senior level, the median total annual employer cost ranges from USD 17,189 in Vietnam to USD 158,174 in Switzerland, across 11 published countries, computed 17 October 2026.
- Why does the range use senior figures?
- Senior is published in more countries than any other level for this role, so one level covers the widest set of countries. Other levels are in the table where published.