Computer and Mathematical · Holland code ICR

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: Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer), Software Quality Engineer, Software Test Engineer, Automation Tester, Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst), Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer), Quality Engineer.

O*NET 15-1253.00

At a glance

US median annual pay: $104,300; Middle half earn $80,310 to $133,180. BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Most common education: Bachelor's Degree; 50% of workers surveyed by O*NET report this level.
Preparation needed: Job Zone 4 of 5; Considerable preparation. Zone 1 is little or none; zone 5 is graduate-level.

What the work involves

The tasks workers in this occupation rate as most important, from the O*NET survey.

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.

Skills and knowledge it leans on

Skills

Reading Comprehension4.0 / 5
Active Listening3.9 / 5
Speaking3.9 / 5
Critical Thinking3.9 / 5
Writing3.8 / 5
Monitoring3.6 / 5

Knowledge areas

Computers and Electronics4.4 / 5
English Language3.8 / 5
Mathematics3.3 / 5
Engineering and Technology3.3 / 5
Design3.0 / 5
Education and Training2.9 / 5

Importance ratings on O*NET’s 1 to 5 scale. Higher means the occupation depends on it more.

Who tends to enjoy it

How strongly this occupation draws on each of the six Holland interest types, which is the same profile the career interests test compares you against.

Realistic47
Investigative79
Artistic12
Social9
Enterprising10
Conventional78

The same work abroad

Other countries classify jobs differently, so these are the closest matches through the international ISCO-08 standard, not exact equivalents.

European occupation titles (ESCO)

software analyst · DE Softwareanalytiker/Softwareanalytikerin · FR analyste logiciel
software developer · DE Softwareentwickler/Softwareentwicklerin · FR développeur de logiciels/développeuse de logiciels
ICT quality assurance manager · DE IT-Qualitätssicherungsmanager/IT-Qualitätssicherungsmanagerin · FR responsable de l’assurance qualité informatique
ICT test analyst · DE IT-Testanalytiker/IT-Testanalytikerin · FR analyste-testeur informatique/analyste-testeuse informatique
software tester · DE Softwareprüfer/Softwareprüferin · FR testeur de logiciels/testeuse de logiciels
digital games tester · DE Spieletester/Spieletesterin · FR testeur de jeux numériques/testeuse de jeux numériques

Closest UK occupation groups (SOC 2020)

IT quality and testing professionals (2136)32,600 employed
Programmers and software development professionals (2134)543,400 employed
Web design professionals (2141)31,200 employed

Employment is the UK Annual Population Survey for April 2025 to March 2026, all workers in the group, which can be broader than this one occupation.

Pay across Europe, for the whole group

Median annual earnings of all employees in “Professionals”. This is the broad ISCO group this occupation falls in, not the occupation itself, so treat it as context for the wage level, not as a salary for this job.

Median annual earnings, Professionals, by country
Country	Median pay
Belgium	€61,714
Germany	€59,529
Ireland	€56,877
Austria	€55,374
Netherlands	€53,595
Sweden	€43,567
France	€41,515
Spain	€35,735
Italy	€33,649
Portugal	€26,072
Poland	€14,380

Eurostat Structure of Earnings Survey, businesses with ten or more employees outside public administration, in euro and not adjusted for the cost of living. Reference years differ between sources: the US, Japan and Europe figures on this page come from different survey years, so compare them as rough levels, not to the euro or yen.

Is it a fit for you?

Interest is one input, alongside ability, pay and what is hiring near you. The career interests test takes about thirteen minutes and ranks occupations by how closely their profile matches yours.

Take the career interests test