Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Computer and Mathematical · SOC 15-1253 · O*NET 15-1253.00
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers fall under the Computer and Mathematical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earn a median salary of $102,610 per year, ranking in the top 11% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +10.0% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do software quality assurance analysts and testers earn?
The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers is $102,610. That puts software quality assurance analysts and testers at #91 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is software quality assurance analysts and testers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for software quality assurance analysts and testers is +10.0%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 201K positions in 2024 to 221K in 2034, a net change of 20K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.
What education does my child need to become software quality assurance analysts and tester?
The standard path into software quality assurance analysts and testers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about software quality assurance analysts and testers
What is the median salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers?
The median annual salary for software quality assurance analysts and testers is $102,610 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is software quality assurance analysts and testers a growing career?
BLS projects +10.0% growth for software quality assurance analysts and testers from 2024 through 2034, which is fast growth projected to grow faster than the US average.
What education does my child need to become software quality assurance analysts and tester?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to software quality assurance analysts and testers?
Related occupations within the Computer and Mathematical category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.