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The differences between associate test engineers and quality assurance specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate test engineer and a quality assurance specialist. Additionally, an associate test engineer has an average salary of $73,445, which is higher than the $63,443 average annual salary of a quality assurance specialist.
The top three skills for an associate test engineer include test results, C++ and test cases. The most important skills for a quality assurance specialist are GMP, patients, and FDA.
| Associate Test Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $73,445 | $63,443 |
| Hourly rate | $35.31 | $30.50 |
| Growth rate | - | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 39,846 | 83,505 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
In the information technology industry, an Associate Test Engineer specializes in developing and implementing test structures to assess software and systems, ensuring they adhere to project requirements and quality standards. They work under the supervision and directives of a senior test engineer. Their responsibilities often include: understanding the clients' needs and preferences, analyzing systems. reviewing documents. troubleshooting issues. identifying and fixing bugs, producing detailed reports and summaries.
Moreover, an Associate Engineer usually works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for optimal services.
A quality assurance specialist is an individual who is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and proposing measures to correct and improve a company's product. Quality assurance specialists need to outline quality assurance policies and procedures, making sure that quality standards are assured. It is important that a quality assurance specialist should have strong attention to detail and is excellent in data collection. This work may require a minimum of bachelor's degree and certification to get certified.
Associate test engineers and quality assurance specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Test Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Average salary | $73,445 | $63,443 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $91,000 | Between $41,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Apple | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an associate test engineer and a quality assurance specialist in terms of educational background:
| Associate Test Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between associate test engineers' and quality assurance specialists' demographics:
| Associate Test Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1% | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |