QA outsourcing rates in the United Kingdom
Middle-level medians (the middle value of each record's weighted observations) in the United Kingdom run from $76 (Performance Test Engineer) to $108 per hour (QA Architect / Test Manager) across 6 published roles.
Median by role, middle level
| Role | Model | p25 | Median | p75 | Confidence | n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual QA Engineer | Hourly (time and materials) | $63 | $79 | $89 | A: high confidence | 5 |
| QA Automation Engineer | Hourly (time and materials) | $74 | $79 | $83 | B: medium confidence | 2 |
| SDET | Hourly (time and materials) | $76 | $79 | $92 | A: high confidence | 3 |
| Performance Test Engineer | Hourly (time and materials) | $69 | $76 | $83 | B: medium confidence | 2 |
| Security Test Engineer | Hourly (time and materials) | $88 | $98 | $108 | A: high confidence | 4 |
| QA Lead | Hourly (time and materials) | withheld at middle level | withheld | |||
| QA Architect / Test Manager | Hourly (time and materials) | $102 | $108 | $134 | A: high confidence | 5 |
SDET: software development engineer in test; builds test frameworks and test infrastructure in code.
Seniority ladder: Manual QA Engineer
| Level | p25 | Median | p75 | Range | Confidence | n |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | $46 | $51 | $56 | B: medium confidence | 2 | |
| Middle | $63 | $79 | $89 | A: high confidence | 5 | |
| Senior | $75 | $91 | $101 | A: high confidence | 5 | |
| Lead / Principal | withheld | withheld | 0 | |||
Employer cost facts and seniority spread
Employer contributions (social security and similar charges an employer pays in addition to gross salary) in the United Kingdom: 16.2% of gross salary (statutory source: HM Revenue & Customs).
Statutory paid leave: 28 working days per year; public holidays: 8 per year.
Productive hours (weekly hours divided by 5, times 260 weekdays minus paid leave and public holidays) per year: 1,680.
Manual QA Engineer has the widest seniority spread in the United Kingdom: $51 (Junior) to $91 (Senior), a gap of 78.4%.
In-house salary context
| Role and level | Median (USD) | Median (GBP) | Confidence | n |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Manual QA Engineer | $36,594 | 27,636 | B: medium confidence | 4 |
| Middle Manual QA Engineer | $56,276 | 42,500 | A: high confidence | 4 |
| Senior Manual QA Engineer | $72,828 | 55,000 | A: high confidence | 4 |
| Middle QA Automation Engineer | $97,103 | 73,333 | A: high confidence | 3 |
| Senior QA Automation Engineer | $105,931 | 80,000 | A: high confidence | 3 |
| Middle Performance Test Engineer | $64,167 | 48,459 | C: indicative | 2 |
| Middle Security Test Engineer | $79,662 | 60,161 | C: indicative | 2 |
| Lead / Principal QA Lead | $76,712 | 57,934 | C: indicative | 2 |
| Middle QA Architect / Test Manager | $88,254 | 66,650 | C: indicative | 2 |
Sources
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. SDET Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Related Skills | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-005
- survey Henderson Scott. Technology Salary Guide 2026. Published 2025-11-06, verified . ev-rate-gfua-001
- fx European Central Bank. ECB euro foreign exchange reference rates (SDMX EXR). Published 2026-10-16, verified . ev-fx-2026-q4-gbp
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Penetration Tester Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-007
- survey Henderson Scott. Technology Salary Guide 2026. Published 2025-11-06, verified . ev-rate-gfua-002
- survey Yolk Recruitment. Technology & Digital (Contract) Salary Survey 2025. Published 2025-06-17, verified . ev-rate-gfua-003
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Performance Tester Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-006
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-21, verified . ev-rate-gfua-004
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-013
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Senior Performance Engineer Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-20, verified . ev-rate-gfua-005
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-017
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Junior Test Analyst Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2025-10-20, verified . ev-rate-gfua-006
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-022
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-027
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-19, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-033
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Head of Testing Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2025-10-20, verified . ev-rate-gfua-007
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-028
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-19, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-034
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-13, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-035
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. CHECK Team Leader Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Co-Occurring Skills | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-20, verified . ev-rate-gfua-008
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Analyst Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-001
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-016
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-018
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-023
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-19, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-029
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Senior Test Analyst Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-002
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-015
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-019
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-024
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-19, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-030
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Automation Engineer Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-003
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-014
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Senior Test Automation Engineer Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-004
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-012
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Leader Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-008
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-011
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-020
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-025
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-19, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-031
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Manager Contract Job Trends, Contractor Rates & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-009
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-26, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-010
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-021
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-026
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card (delivery country: United Kingdom); vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-01-19, verified . ev-rate-united-kingdom-032
- survey Compono. Employer on-costs: UK vs US (2026) | Compono. Published 2026-07-01, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-001
- survey RemotePass. United Kingdom - RemotePass. Published 2026-06-18, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-009
- statutory HM Revenue & Customs. Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 - GOV.UK. Published 2026-09-01, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-001
- statutory HM Revenue & Customs. Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 - GOV.UK. Published 2026-09-01, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-002
- statutory GOV.UK (Cabinet Office / Government Digital Service). Workplace pensions: What you, your employer and the government pay - GOV.UK. Published 2026-09-30, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-003
- statutory GOV.UK (Department for Business and Trade content). Holiday entitlement - GOV.UK. Published 2026-10-16, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-010
- survey Boundless. Hire and Pay Employees in the United Kingdom | Boundless. Published 2026-05-06, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-011
- survey RemotePass. United Kingdom - RemotePass. Published 2026-06-18, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-012
- survey RemotePass. United Kingdom - RemotePass. Published 2026-06-18, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-014
- survey Boundless. Hire and Pay Employees in the United Kingdom | Boundless. Published 2026-05-06, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-015
- survey Rivermate. United Kingdom Employer of Record - Hiring Guide for 2026. Published 2026-09-28, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-003
- survey Sage UK. How many working hours in a year UK 2026 | Sage UK. Published 2026-05-20, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-004
- survey Statista. UK average working hours 2026 | Statista. Published 2026-08-18, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-005
- survey RemotePass. United Kingdom - RemotePass. Published 2026-06-18, verified . ev-ovh-united-kingdom-019
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card; vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-ovh-global-001
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card; vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-ovh-global-002
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card; vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-ovh-global-003
- vendor-rate-card Vendor rate card; vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-ovh-global-004
- survey Page published by a QA or staffing vendor; vendor name and link are published only in the evidence file. Published 2026-10-13, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-008
- survey Pin. Recruitment Agency Commission Structures Explained - Pin. Published 2026-10-19, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-009
- survey Recruitly. Recruitment agency fees in 2026: what to charge your clients. Published 2026-02-12, verified . ev-ovh-gap2-010
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Junior Test Analyst Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-001
- job-board Indeed. Junior test analyst salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-09-23, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-011
- survey Morgan McKinley. QA / Test Engineer Salaries In London | Morgan McKinley 2026 Salary Guide. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-018
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Analyst Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-002
- job-board Indeed. Test analyst salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-10-11, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-012
- survey Morgan McKinley. QA / Test Engineer Salaries In London | Morgan McKinley 2026 Salary Guide. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-019
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Senior Test Analyst Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-003
- job-board Indeed. Senior test analyst salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-10-11, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-013
- survey Morgan McKinley. QA / Test Engineer Salaries In London | Morgan McKinley 2026 Salary Guide. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-020
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. QA Automation Engineer Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-004
- survey Morgan McKinley. QA / Test Automation Engineer Salaries In London | Morgan McKinley 2026 Salary Guide. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-022
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Senior Test Automation Engineer Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-005
- survey Morgan McKinley. QA / Test Automation Engineer Salaries In London | Morgan McKinley 2026 Salary Guide. Published 2026-01-01, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-023
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Performance Tester Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-007
- job-board Indeed. Performance tester salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-10-08, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-014
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Penetration Tester Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-008
- job-board Indeed. Penetration tester salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-10-09, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-015
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Leader Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-009
- job-board Indeed. Test lead salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-10-11, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-016
- job-board IT Jobs Watch. Test Manager Job Trends, Salaries & Skill Sets | IT Jobs Watch. Published 2026-10-18, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-010
- job-board Indeed. Test manager salary in United Kingdom. Published 2026-10-11, verified . ev-sal-united-kingdom-017
Questions
What is the median hourly rate for QA roles in the United Kingdom?
Middle-level medians in the United Kingdom: Manual QA Engineer $79; QA Automation Engineer $79; SDET $79; Performance Test Engineer $76; Security Test Engineer $98; QA Architect / Test Manager $108 per hour.
What does an employer pay in addition to salary for a QA engineer in the United Kingdom?
Employer social contributions in the United Kingdom add 16.2% to gross salary, per the sources listed on this page.
How does paid leave affect the productive hours of a QA engineer in the United Kingdom?
Statutory paid leave in the United Kingdom: 28 working days per year; public holidays: 8. Productive hours per year, (weekly hours / 5) x (260 minus leave minus holidays): 1,680.
How much does a QA engineer earn in the United Kingdom?
The median annual base salary for a Junior Manual QA Engineer in the United Kingdom is $36,594 (USD, converted at the quarter-to-date mean FX rate, latest rate date 2026-10-16).
Which QA role has the widest rate range in the United Kingdom?
Manual QA Engineer has the widest seniority spread: $51 (Junior) to $91 (Senior) per hour.
How many working hours does the United Kingdom overlap with US East (UTC-5) and Central European (UTC+1) working hours?
With the reference offset UTC+0 for the United Kingdom, an 8-hour day starting at the same local hour overlaps 3 hours with UTC-5 (US East) and 7 hours with UTC+1 (Central Europe); daylight saving time is not applied.
Cite this page
QA Rates Compare (2026). QA outsourcing rates in the United Kingdom, data version 1.0.0. https://qaratescompare.com/rates/united-kingdom/. Accessed 2026-10-20.
Figures are medians of published observations converted to USD at the quarterly ECB reference rate shown in the footer. They describe market ranges on the verification date, not quotes. Monthly and annual figures assume the hours stated on this page. Confidence grades are defined on the methodology page. This site does not recommend providers.