Quality Assurance Tester

Impact: Indirect

Quality Assurance Testers are responsible for ensuring the quality of software products before they are released to the public. They design and execute test plans, identify and document defects, and work closely with development teams to resolve issues. Their goal is to ensure that software meets specified requirements and provides a positive user experience.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Moderate
Team vs solo
Team-oriented
Client facing
Never
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Low
Schedule flexibility
Moderate
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
40 hours/week
Stress level
Moderate

At a glance

Median salary
$75,000
Entry-level
$55,000
Senior
$105,000
Growth by 2033
Average
Demand
Growing
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
Medium
Typical student debt
$15,000 - $30,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • Test Automation
  • SQL
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Bug Tracking Software

Soft skills

  • Attention to Detail
  • Problem-Solving
  • Communication

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education
Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
5
Years to senior
10
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. QA Tester
      2. Senior QA Tester
      3. QA Lead
      4. QA Manager

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      Medium
      AI disruption risk
      Moderate
      Demand trend
      Growing

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      3.5/10
      Meaning
      3.5/10
      Work-life balance
      3.5/10
      Prestige
      5.5/10
      Social perception
      Moderate

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