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Career overview · SOC 15-1253

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

Also called: Automation Tester · Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst) · Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst) · Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer) · Quality Engineer · Software Quality Assurance Analyst (SQA Analyst)

Median pay (national)
$102,610
$60,690–$166,960 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
199,800
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+10%
~14,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for software quality assurance analysts and testers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $166,960 versus $60,690 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $102,610 leaves roughly 63% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +10% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 14,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $128,270, +25% vs the national median), while Louisiana sits lowest at $50,110 — a 156% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache JMeter, Appium, Atlassian JIRA as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Monitoring
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
  • Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
  • Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
  • Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
  • Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.
  • Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
  • Create or maintain databases of known test defects.
  • Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.
  • Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.
  • Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.

Tools & technology

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Apache JMeter
  • Appium
  • Atlassian JIRA
  • C#
  • C++
  • Git
  • GitHub
  • JavaScript
  • Jenkins CI
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Azure DevOps Services
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Playwright

Knowledge areas

  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Education and Training
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management