CDCareer Decision

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Career, Salary and Skills

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $104,300 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 186,740. Wage data is published for 261 locations.

Open the decision dashboard

Occupation description

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.

O*NET code

15-1253.00

Job zone

4

Typical education

Bachelor's Degree

Experience

Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

National salary and employment

Median annual

$104,300

Hourly median

$50.14

Employment

186,740

Data year

2025

National salary distribution

$61,440
10th
$80,310
25th
$104,300
Median
$133,180
75th
$167,010
90th

Top skills

SkillImportanceLevel
Reading Comprehension4.004.12
Speaking3.884.00
Critical Thinking3.883.88
Active Listening3.884.00
Writing3.753.88
Monitoring3.623.75
Programming3.623.75
Complex Problem Solving3.383.12
Quality Control Analysis3.383.62
Systems Evaluation3.253.50
All skill ratings →

Typical tasks

  • 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.
  • Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
All task statements →

Technology

  • Cisco IOS
  • 3M Post-it App
  • A programming language APL
  • ABC Compiler
  • ABC: the AspectBench Compiler for AspectJ
  • Acresso InstallAnywhere
  • Ada
  • ADO.NET
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Flex
All technology →

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

All 261 locations →

Related careers

Analyze this careerCompare with another careerExplore your skill gapCompare locations

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.