Hiring a test engineer: the market today
The short answer ·
1,837 open postings ask for a test engineer as of Nov 11, 2026, from 222 employers. The median advertised pay is $135,000, taking the midpoint of each posted range. 734 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.
Who you're competing with
Open postings · Ayla, Nov 11, 2026
What it pays
Advertised pay (range midpoints), 1,374 postings with pay
Questions buyers ask
How hard is it to hire a test engineer?
Hard. 222 employers are hiring the role right now, led by Lockheed Martin with 245 open postings.
What should I pay a test engineer?
Advertised pay centers on $135,000. The middle half runs from $112,000 to $159,188.
Where is a test engineer being hired?
As of Nov 11, 2026, the most open postings for the role are in California (466), Colorado (145) and Texas (136). Together they hold 41% of its 1,837 open postings.
Who can help me hire a test engineer?
Ayla's recruiters, for government agencies and contractors. Send the role for a free market brief within two business days, then interview the people we find; you pay a placement fee when you hire.