What Does a Software QA Tester Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a software QA tester do?

Software quality assurance analysts and testers design and run tests, find and report defects, and help teams release reliable software. The median pay is $104,300 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6 months–4 years, and employment is projected to grow +5.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$104,300
$50.14/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+5.7%
2025–35, faster than average
Openings per year
10,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
6 months–4 years
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
187,600
Employment, 2025

What software QA testers do

QA testers protect users from broken software. They review requirements, write test plans and cases, test features manually, build automated tests, report bugs clearly and verify fixes. They work closely with developers and product managers throughout development.

Many testers have bachelor’s degrees in computer science or related fields, but others enter from support roles or bootcamps. Automation skills such as Selenium, Playwright and scripting are increasingly important. QA is a solid entry point into software careers.

Typical duties

Review requirements and user stories
Write test plans and test cases
Run manual tests
Build and maintain automated tests
Report and track defects
Verify fixes and run regression tests
Help improve quality processes

Work environment and schedule

Testers work in offices or remotely at computers, often testing across devices and browsers.

Schedule: Most work full-time; release days can bring extra hours.

A day in the life

9:00 AMJoin stand-up and review stories ready for testing.
9:30 AMWrite test cases for a new login feature.
11:00 AMTest the feature on browsers and mobile devices.
1:00 PMLog a bug with steps, screenshots and logs.

See a full day in the life of a software QA tester →

Software QA Tester salary

Half of software QA testers earned more than $104,300 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $61,440 for the lowest 10% to $167,010 for the top 10%.

$61,44010th$104,300Median$167,01090th

Full software QA tester pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a software QA tester

Learn testing basics
Learn some coding
Earn the ISTQB Foundation
Get a QA role
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is typical, though bootcamps, certificates and support experience can lead to QA roles.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a software QA tester →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Test case design
Manual testing
Test automation
Bug reporting
SQL and APIs

People skills

Attention to detail
Curiosity
Clear communication
Persistence

All software QA tester skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Entry point into software
Detail-focused, problem-solving work
Remote-friendly
Automation skills pay well

Cons

Repetitive manual testing
Release-day pressure
Being the bearer of bad news
Must keep learning tools

Certifications and licenses

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level: Widely recognized testing certification.
ISTQB Test Automation Engineer: Advanced automation credential.
Certified Software Tester (CSTE): QAI testing credential.
Agile testing certification: Such as ISTQB Agile Tester.

Career path

QA Tester: Run manual tests.
QA Analyst or Automation Engineer: Design tests and automation.
Senior QA or QA Lead: Lead quality efforts.
QA Manager or Developer: Manage QA or move into development.

Learn the job before day one

Our Software QA Tester training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a clear bug report and design test cases for a feature, safety and how to land your first job.

View Software QA Tester training Is this career right for me?

Software Developer

Design, build and improve the apps and systems people use every day.

$135,980
4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio

Web Developer

Build fast, accessible websites and web applications people love to use.

$92,650
6 months to 4 years

IT Support Specialist

Help people solve computer, account and network problems: the classic way into IT.

$61,860
3–6 months

Quality Control Inspector

Measure, test and inspect products to make sure they meet specifications.

$48,570
3–12 months on the job

Compare: QA Tester vs. Software Developer · QA Tester vs. Web Developer · QA Tester vs. IT Support Specialist · QA Tester vs. QC Inspector

Software QA Tester FAQ

Do QA testers need to code?

Manual testers may not, but automation skills are increasingly expected.

Is QA a good way into tech?

Yes. Many testers move into automation or development.

What certification helps?

The ISTQB Foundation Level is widely recognized.

How much does a software QA tester make?

The median annual wage for software QA testers was $104,300 ($50.14 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $61,440 and the highest 10% earned more than $167,010.

How long does it take to become a software QA tester?

Most people need about 6 months–4 years of training. A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is typical, though bootcamps, certificates and support experience can lead to QA roles.

Do you need a degree to be a software QA tester?

Not always. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many testers enter from customer support, bootcamps or self-study and grow into automation roles.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 15-1253 (Software quality assurance analysts and testers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Software quality assurance analysts and testers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Software QA Tester