wagelevels

SOC 15-1253 · Comparison

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ against Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

At Level II, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA requires $894 a year more than New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ for the same job, a difference of 0.8%.

Every level, side by side

LevelNew YorkSeattleDifference
Level I$84,323$81,598+$2,725
Level II$107,349$108,243-$894
Level III$130,354$134,867-$4,513
Level IV$153,379$161,512-$8,133

Hourly figures are $51.61 and $52.04 at Level II. ALC_Export.csv, wage year 2026-27.

What the comparison shows

The ranking crosses over between levels, so which area is more expensive depends on the level the position lands on. That's worth knowing before assuming one location is cheaper than the other.

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ covers 22 counties and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA covers 3 counties. The worksite address decides which figure applies, so a role that could sit in either needs the area settled before the wage is.

Full breakdowns