Quality Assurance: Skills, Salary, and More
Software engineers remain in-demand across the business world, driven by the need for new websites, mobile apps, and AI-powered automated bots. All these new programming projects require the keen eye of QA professionals to ensure the software works as expected. Software quality assurance engineers are another tech job role where multiple opportunities abound.
If you are interested in a career in software quality assurance, it helps to understand what the job requires. What follows is a look at the required skills, general salary information, and more. Use these insights to forge a rewarding professional life in QA!
What Are The Duties of a Software Quality Assurance Engineer?
Simply put, the core duty of a software QA engineer involves finding bugs and other defects in applications. Companies with a well-considered software development process involve the QA role at the beginning of a project. This gives them a chance to craft meaningful test plans and scripts covering the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC).
They can leverage the latest tools and techniques for testing. In a DevOps world, automated test tools are becoming more widely used, but manual testing is still important. Documenting and reporting test results is another duty of the position.
What Skills Does a QA Professional Need?
A degree in computer science or another technical discipline is a typical prerequisite for an open QA position. The ability to work as part of a team is essential, especially with Agile and DevOps so popular within the industry. Strong written and verbal communication skills help the QA engineer craft test plans and report test results to programmers, project managers, and business stakeholders.
Of course, it’s essential for QA professionals to complete their assignments on time, especially test plans and the testing itself. In many cases, they are the critical path on a software project, especially when verifying bug fixes.
Consider earning a certification if you are new to the QA role. Many companies look for certified candidates when sourcing quality assurance professionals.
Salary Considerations for The Software Quality Assurance Engineer
As noted earlier, job opportunities for QA professionals remain plentiful, with a projected growth rate of five to nine percent by 2026. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for a QA engineer is $88,510. So, experienced QA professionals can earn close to six-figures. In short, working in QA remains a lucrative career choice.
If you need advice on your technology career, speak with the experts at Digital Prospectors. As one of the top IT staffing agencies in Boston, we know the companies looking for the best candidates. Connect with us soon!