How Much Does a QA Earn in Spain?

Salary. That topic we’re all curious about, but which is often treated with secrecy. In a field as dynamic as software engineering, the role of Quality Assurance (QA) has gone from being an “extra” to becoming a key piece of the puzzle. Far from being just “the one who finds bugs,” QA is the guardian of quality and the user experience.

But let’s get practical: how much do you actually earn doing this job in Spain? The short answer is, there isn’t a single figure. Salary depends heavily on experience, specialization, and even where you work.

Experience: the factor that matters most

As with most things, the path is proven by walking (and getting paid). Here are some conservative ranges (gross annual) to give you a clear idea:

• A junior QA just starting out can expect a salary between €20,000 and €25,000. This is a stage of pure learning, where you acquire the basics of manual testing, incident management, and begin to dabble in automation.

• With more experience, a mid-level profile is no longer just executing tests but also providing a critical perspective and getting more involved in strategy. Here, the salary typically ranges between €27,500 and €35,000.

• Senior profiles or those with a solid background in automation are the most in demand. Their salary usually exceeds €38,000, and in large tech companies or for highly specialized roles, it’s not unusual to see figures around €48,000 or even up to €55,000.

Automation is your best ally

If there’s one thing that boosts a QA’s salary, it’s automation. Mastering tools like Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, or having a deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines makes you a highly sought-after profile. In a world that demands fast and reliable deliveries, knowing how to automate isn’t a plus—it’s a market necessity.

Does location matter?

Traditionally, Madrid and Barcelona have offered higher salaries. However, the rise of remote work has started to blur that gap. More and more companies are offering similar conditions regardless of where you log in from, opening the playing field for talent across Spain.

More than just a paycheck

While money matters, the QA role provides value that isn’t always reflected in the paycheck. It’s the peace of mind of releasing a product without critical errors, the confidence you give to the development team, and the assurance that the end user will have a smooth experience.

The Spanish market is finally recognizing this essential work. Salaries have improved significantly in recent years, and the trend is clear: they will continue to rise. Because at the end of the day, investing in quality isn’t an expense—it’s the smartest bet a company can make.