Technology
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 salary (BLS)
$104,300
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$61k – $167k
Job outlook
+10% (faster than average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $109,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateCost to qualify
$40,300–$152,000
Time to qualify
4.3 yr
Renewal
—
- 1
Bachelor's degree
DegreeFour years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.
$40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source
- 2
Industry certification (optional)
CertificationVendor certifications (AWS, CompTIA, Google, Microsoft…) are a common entry booster, rarely a hard requirement.
$300–$2,000 · 3 months source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Intern
Internship
$36,000
~4 mos to advance
Junior Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Entry / Junior
$61,440
~2 yrs to advance
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Established
$104,300
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Senior
$135,655
Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.
Key skills
A typical day
- •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.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Technology
Explore all- Massachusetts Institute of Technology4% admit · $124,000 grad pay
- Stanford University4% admit · $122,000 grad pay
- Carnegie Mellon University11% admit · $109,000 grad pay
- University of California, Berkeley11% admit · $97,000 grad pay
- Georgia Institute of Technology16% admit · $99,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.