Careers / Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$104,300
United States, 2025
Employment
186,740
United States, 2025
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Job Zone 4
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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
- Experience required
- Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Typical tasks
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$61,440
25th percentile
$80,310
75th percentile
$133,180
90th percentile
$167,010
Most important skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Writing3.8
- Monitoring3.6
- Programming3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Quality Control Analysis3.4
- Systems Evaluation3.3
- Operations Analysis3.1
- Active Learning3.1
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 17 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
17
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | 4.1 | Not selected | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Writing | 3.8 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Programming | 3.6 | 3.8 | Not selected | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.4 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 | 2.6 | Not selected | 2.6 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
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Compare with Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $166,530 | 6,480 | 2025 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $147,520 | 400 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $136,410 | 500 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $134,630 | 5,880 | 2025 |
| Greeley, CO | $134,350 | 60 | 2025 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $133,970 | 100 | 2025 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $130,710 | 170 | 2025 |
| New York, NY | $130,540 | 11,460 | 2025 |
| Baltimore, MD | $129,880 | 2,670 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $129,690 | 6,650 | 2025 |
| Kennewick, WA | $128,860 | 80 | 2025 |
| CA | $128,740 | 27,710 | 2025 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $128,520 | 610 | 2025 |
| WA | $128,480 | 7,970 | 2025 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $128,010 | 80 | 2025 |
| Bozeman, MT | $127,590 | 50 | 2025 |
| Washington, DC | $126,350 | 8,460 | 2025 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $124,400 | 80 | 2025 |
| Crestview, FL | $124,040 | 210 | 2025 |
| Denver, CO | $123,690 | 3,620 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.