Occupation · 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.
Median wage
$102,610
$60,690–$166,960
Projected growth
+10.0%
Faster than average
Annual openings
2,020
per year
Employed (US)
199,800
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
2,955 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingProgrammingMonitoringQuality Control AnalysisComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningTime ManagementOperations MonitoringCoordinationTroubleshootingSocial PerceptivenessLearning StrategiesScienceMathematicsTechnology DesignInstructingService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstallationOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesRepairingEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Computers and ElectronicsEnglish LanguageMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingCommunications and MediaPsychologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and SecuritySociology and AnthropologyEconomics and AccountingLaw and GovernmentGeographyPhysicsSales and MarketingForeign LanguageTransportationTherapy and CounselingMechanicalPhilosophy and TheologyChemistryBuilding and ConstructionFine ArtsBiologyMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyFood Production
Technology & tools
3M Post-it AppA programming language APLABC CompilerABC: the AspectBench Compiler for AspectJADO.NETAJAXAWKAcresso InstallAnywhereAdaAdobe AcrobatAdobe ActionScriptAdobe After EffectsAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DreamweaverAdobe FlexAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAdvanced business application programming ABAPAirtableAlgorithmic language ALGOLAllaire ColdFusionAmazon Data PipelineAmazon DynamoDBAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2Amazon KinesisAmazon RedshiftAmazon Simple Storage Service S3Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAmerican National Standards Institute ANSI CAnsible softwareAnti-spyware softwareAntivirus softwareApache AntApache AvroApache CassandraApache FlumeApache GroovyApache HBase
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeAnalyzing Data or InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDocumenting/Recording InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersTraining and Teaching OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAssisting and Caring for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Software defects and anomalies — identify and document under direct supervision using a bug tracking system in an entry-level QA role.Test plans and predefined test scripts — execute following established procedures on assigned application modules.Program function and output — recognize deviations from expected behavior and escalate findings to senior QA staff.Bug tracking tools and development environment software — install and configure with guidance from a senior analyst on a project team.Test procedures and replicability standards — follow documented protocols to ensure consistent test execution across sprint cycles.Regression test cases — run predefined suites under supervision to validate that recent code changes have not introduced new defects.Software requirements and technical specifications — read and interpret to understand expected system behavior before beginning test execution.Defect reports — write clear, structured summaries using approved templates and submit to development teams via the bug tracking system.System modifications — assist in smoke-testing builds prepared for implementation in a supervised pre-release environment.Test results and execution logs — record accurately and organize in shared documentation repositories for team review.
developing
Test scenarios and usability test scripts — design for assigned features, incorporating positive, negative, and boundary-condition cases in an agile development environment.Software defects affecting database integrity or online screen content — analyze root causes and document detailed reproduction steps in the bug tracking system with minimal oversight.Regression and error-retest programs — develop and maintain to cover database impacts and functional changes across iterative software releases.Feedback on software usability and functionality — prepare and communicate recommendations to developers during sprint reviews and design walk-throughs.Testing tools and automation frameworks — install, configure, and maintain to support routine test cycles within a CI/CD pipeline.System modifications scheduled for implementation — test independently against acceptance criteria and produce sign-off reports for project stakeholders.Test procedures and compliance documentation — author to meet organizational and industry standards, ensuring replicability by other team members.Defect trends and test execution metrics — monitor across releases and report anomalies to QA leads to inform risk assessments.Object-oriented or scripted test code — write and review to extend automated regression suites for web and desktop applications.Complex problem scenarios involving cross-module interactions — analyze and resolve by applying systematic critical thinking within familiar application contexts.
proficient
Comprehensive test plans and end-to-end test strategies — design autonomously for complex, multi-tier systems addressing scenarios including database impacts, security boundaries, and usability requirements.Non-routine software defects involving ambiguous specifications or intermittent failures — investigate, reproduce, and document with precision, driving resolution through cross-functional collaboration.Automated testing programs spanning regression, performance, and negative testing — architect and implement across the full software development lifecycle without requiring oversight.Quantitative defect analysis and quality metrics — produce and interpret to evaluate system stability and guide release-readiness decisions for senior stakeholders.Software usability and functionality recommendations — formulate and present to product and engineering leadership, grounding guidance in test evidence and industry best practices.Testing tools, frameworks, and development environments — evaluate, select, and integrate into existing DevOps pipelines based on project requirements and technology stack.Systems modifications and pre-production deployments — validate against complex acceptance criteria, identifying edge-case failures before customer-facing release.Operations analysis of system behavior under load or failure conditions — conduct using monitoring tools and log analysis to uncover systemic risks.Test documentation libraries and standards — maintain and continuously improve to ensure full compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements.Junior and mid-level QA analysts — guide through technical problem-solving, peer review of test artifacts, and mentoring on quality assurance methodologies.
advanced
Organization-wide QA strategy and quality governance framework — define and champion across all product lines, aligning testing standards with enterprise risk tolerance and business objectives.Quality assurance capability roadmap — lead the development of, including adoption of emerging test automation, AI-assisted testing, and shift-left practices across engineering organizations.Cross-functional QA processes and toolchain standards — establish and enforce, coordinating with development, product, DevOps, and security teams to embed quality throughout the SDLC.Senior QA engineers and test architects — mentor and develop, setting performance expectations and creating career growth pathways within the quality assurance function.Executive and stakeholder reporting on product quality, defect risk, and release readiness — deliver with strategic recommendations that influence go/no-go decisions at the portfolio level.Industry best practices in systems analysis, quality control, and software engineering — synthesize and translate into organizational standards, training programs, and methodology updates.QA team hiring, structure, and resource allocation — lead to build high-performing testing organizations capable of supporting large-scale, complex software delivery programs.Regulatory compliance and quality audit requirements — interpret and operationalize within the QA function, ensuring all test documentation and processes satisfy external and internal mandates.Enterprise-level test infrastructure investment decisions — evaluate and authorize, balancing cost, scalability, and capability improvements for current and future technology portfolios.Culture of quality and continuous improvement — instill across engineering and product organizations by advocating for proactive defect prevention, rigorous standards, and shared accountability.
Also known as
68 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Application IntegratorApplications AnalystApplications Quality Assurance Specialist (Applications QA Specialist)Applications Software Engineering Information Technology Specialist (Applications Software Engineering IT Specialist)Applications System AnalystApplications TesterAutomation SpecialistAutomation TesterBeta TesterBug Bounty HunterComputer ConsultantData ModelerGame TesterImplementation SpecialistInformation Technology Analyst (IT Analyst)Information Technology Consultant (IT Consultant)IT Performance Analyst (Information Technology Performance Analyst)Malware AnalystPerformance TesterQuality AnalystQuality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)Quality Assurance Automation Engineer (QA Automation Engineer)Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer)Quality Assurance Specialist (QA Specialist)Quality Assurance Tester (QA Tester)Quality EngineerSecure Software AssessorServer EngineerSoftware Application Quality Assurance Specialist (Software Application QA Specialist)Software Application Support SpecialistSoftware Development Test EngineerSoftware InstallerSoftware Quality Assurance Analyst (SQA Analyst)Software Quality Assurance Consultant (Software QA Consultant)Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer)Software Quality Assurance Specialist (SQA Specialist)Software Quality Assurance Technician (SQA Technician)Software Quality Control Specialist (Software QC Specialist)Software Quality EngineerSoftware Quality Tester