15
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers is a notable career in the 15 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 15-1253 |
| title | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers |
| onet code | 15-1253.00 |
| 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. |
| job zone | 4 |
| major group | 15 |
| tot emp | 199,800 |
| a mean | 110,260 |
| a median | 102,610 |
| a pct10 | 60,690 |
| a pct25 | 79,520 |
| a pct75 | 131,870 |
| a pct90 | 166,960 |
| h mean | 53 |
| h median | 49 |
The day-to-day work of a software quality assurance analysts and testers typically centers on identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Speaking. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.66 out of 5 — highly rated for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working software quality assurance analysts and testers, the most common entry qualification is a Bachelor's Degree (50.0%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 50% of incumbents. Entry pathways are mixed; a meaningful minority enters without a four-year degree.
Median annual pay is highest in Washington at $128,270 and lowest in Louisiana at $50,110 — a 2.6× spread. The top five states (Washington, California, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado) average $123,092. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $128,270 | $130,110 | $68,110 | $191,040 | 9,220 |
| California | $127,010 | $130,250 | $63,460 | $197,400 | 31,530 |
| Virginia | $123,270 | $124,540 | $78,000 | $175,670 | 9,880 |
| Maryland | $122,310 | $122,300 | $66,140 | $174,300 | 6,340 |
| Colorado | $114,600 | $116,410 | $72,760 | $166,500 | 5,580 |
| New Jersey | $111,790 | $118,210 | $69,690 | $163,650 | 6,930 |
| District of Columbia | $110,130 | $108,750 | $42,730 | $157,940 | 750 |
| New Hampshire | $110,020 | $109,120 | $61,610 | $155,790 | 610 |
| New York | $108,800 | $120,360 | $62,820 | $180,290 | 11,140 |
| Utah | $107,170 | $116,800 | $46,820 | $175,840 | 4,300 |
| Massachusetts | $106,090 | $112,190 | $66,250 | $164,950 | 7,650 |
| Delaware | $106,020 | $113,060 | $73,650 | $146,070 | 700 |
| New Mexico | $105,520 | $126,740 | $68,890 | — | 400 |
| Minnesota | $104,910 | $107,850 | $71,810 | $137,810 | 2,930 |
| Arizona | $103,580 | $104,440 | $61,480 | $142,800 | 3,680 |
| Alaska | $103,160 | $102,280 | $103,160 | $104,170 | — |
| Oregon | $103,000 | $112,300 | $47,220 | $189,990 | 3,010 |
| North Carolina | $102,660 | $103,090 | $57,840 | $143,160 | 7,280 |
| Texas | $101,800 | $105,700 | $61,610 | $155,950 | 19,300 |
| Connecticut | $101,270 | $101,750 | $61,060 | $139,830 | 1,200 |
| Montana | $100,790 | $100,840 | $55,690 | $171,320 | 260 |
| Illinois | $100,300 | $102,550 | $62,140 | $136,450 | 6,800 |
| Hawaii | $99,570 | $102,190 | $74,060 | $129,930 | 210 |
| Alabama | $99,520 | $103,760 | $63,810 | $153,360 | 1,910 |
| Michigan | $98,310 | $96,810 | $57,670 | $133,700 | 3,500 |
| Florida | $96,700 | $99,200 | $59,920 | $140,730 | 12,080 |
| Rhode Island | $95,260 | $98,790 | $67,410 | $131,130 | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | $93,600 | $94,440 | $58,130 | $132,210 | 5,690 |
| Georgia | $93,500 | $96,500 | $62,400 | $134,620 | 7,830 |
| South Carolina | $93,140 | $92,140 | $49,870 | $134,300 | 1,320 |
| Nevada | $92,150 | $101,170 | $60,260 | $130,180 | 680 |
| Nebraska | $90,330 | $90,740 | $59,070 | $121,880 | 1,680 |
| Tennessee | $90,170 | $87,720 | $56,130 | $119,380 | 2,290 |
| Indiana | $88,870 | $92,330 | $59,360 | $129,970 | 1,630 |
| Iowa | $85,550 | $90,600 | $51,130 | $128,200 | 1,080 |
| Ohio | $83,960 | $90,190 | $59,800 | $126,280 | 4,000 |
| Kansas | $83,070 | $86,940 | $52,210 | $125,340 | 1,320 |
| Wisconsin | $81,850 | $86,930 | $60,980 | $117,050 | 3,820 |
| North Dakota | $81,750 | $84,520 | $78,260 | $102,000 | 470 |
| Kentucky | $79,390 | $80,440 | $37,490 | $122,250 | 1,140 |
| Maine | $79,040 | $82,980 | $45,490 | $124,130 | 390 |
| Vermont | $77,060 | $85,770 | $53,190 | $134,800 | 130 |
| Missouri | $76,190 | $80,440 | $45,230 | $124,950 | 2,400 |
| Mississippi | $75,860 | $80,130 | $45,130 | $123,090 | 460 |
| Idaho | $72,880 | $100,950 | $36,550 | $203,210 | 490 |
| Oklahoma | $68,730 | $70,860 | $32,060 | $106,620 | 1,720 |
| South Dakota | $61,790 | $65,610 | $45,930 | $94,990 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $61,420 | $67,610 | $27,500 | $129,770 | 260 |
| Louisiana | $50,110 | $62,800 | $35,610 | $123,430 | 540 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for software quality assurance analysts and testers. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Application Integrator or Applications Analyst frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers compares to others in the 15 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
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The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
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