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), Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer), Software Quality Engineer, Software Test Engineer, Test Engineer, Application Integrator, Applications Analyst, Applications Quality Assurance Specialist (Applications QA Specialist), Applications Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist (Applications Software Engineering IT Specialist), Applications System Analyst, Applications Tester, Automation Specialist, Beta Tester, Bug Bounty Hunter, Computer Consultant, Data Modeler, Game Tester, Implementation Specialist, Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant), IT Performance Analyst (Information Technology Performance Analyst), Malware Analyst, Performance Tester, Quality Analyst, Quality Assurance Automation Engineer (QA Automation Engineer), Quality Assurance Specialist (QA Specialist), Quality Assurance Tester (QA Tester), Secure Software Assessor, Server Engineer, Software Application Quality Assurance Specialist (Software Application QA Specialist), Software Application Support Specialist, Software Development Test Engineer, Software Installer, Software Quality Assurance Consultant (Software QA Consultant), Software Quality Assurance Specialist (SQA Specialist), Software Quality Assurance Technician (SQA Technician), Software Quality Control Specialist (Software QC Specialist), Software Quality Tester, Software Requirements Engineer, Software Systems Engineer, Software Test Analyst, Software Tester, Software Testing Specialist, Solution Architect, Solutions Architect, System Testing and Evaluation Specialist, Systems Analyst, Systems Analyst Engineer, Systems Coordinator, Systems Integration Engineer, Systems Software Quality Assurance Specialist (Systems Software QA Specialist), Systems Software Specialist, Systems Support Engineer, Systems Tester, Systems Tester Analyst, Technical Support Engineer, Technology Analyst, Test Automation Engineer, Usability Engineer, User Experience Designer (UX Designer), User Interface and User Experience Architect (UI/UX Architect), User Interface and User Experience Designer (UI/UX Designer), User Interface Designer (UI Designer), Validation Engineer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
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.
Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Writing
Monitoring
Programming
Complex Problem Solving
Quality Control Analysis
Systems Evaluation
Active Learning
Operations Analysis

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (50.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

80,310–133,180 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 15-1253.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (50.00% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers