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Automation tester vs test analyst

The differences between automation testers and test analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an automation tester and a test analyst. Additionally, an automation tester has an average salary of $82,429, which is higher than the $70,997 average annual salary of a test analyst.

The top three skills for an automation tester include java, jenkins and QA. The most important skills for a test analyst are test scripts, test plan, and regression.

Automation tester vs test analyst overview

Automation TesterTest Analyst
Yearly salary$82,429$70,997
Hourly rate$39.63$34.13
Growth rate--
Number of jobs47,65691,308
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does an automation tester do?

An automation tester is responsible for evaluating automated system processes to ensure its stability and efficiency to support business functions and operational development. Automation testers create reports on findings, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the procedures, and providing recommendations for process improvement. They also join the technology team on conducting system configuration and improving system infrastructure, resolving network issues, and designing automation tools. An automation tester must have excellent knowledge of the technology industry, as well as network navigation and programming codes, enhancing technical frameworks for optimization.

What does a test analyst do?

The duties of a test analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a test analyst is responsible for testing computer software or hardware to ensure its quality before being released in the market. They participate in the development process to monitor the product specifications, review and analyze documentation, and create test systems, implementing them promptly and efficiently. As a test analyst, it is essential to produce progress reports, prepare presentations, and even give recommendations.

Automation tester vs test analyst salary

Automation testers and test analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Automation TesterTest Analyst
Average salary$82,429$70,997
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $107,000Between $56,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CitySan Ramon, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateDelawareNew Hampshire
Best paying companyBloombergGeneral Motors
Best paying industryInsuranceFinance

Differences between automation tester and test analyst education

There are a few differences between an automation tester and a test analyst in terms of educational background:

Automation TesterTest Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorComputer ScienceComputer Science
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Automation tester vs test analyst demographics

Here are the differences between automation testers' and test analysts' demographics:

Automation TesterTest Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.6% Female, 36.4%Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between automation tester and test analyst duties and responsibilities

Automation tester example responsibilities.

  • Manage departmental inventory and troubleshoot testing, reporting and inventory issues.
  • Prepare Java /Selenium script for subsequent regression testing.
  • Involve in creating output values using QTP.
  • Involve in creating automation test suites for progression & regression testing in SOAPUI.
  • Involve in system integration and user acceptance testing (UAT) on later stages of SDLC.
  • Participate in the agile/SCRUM process and collaborate with development and production team throughout all stages of the SDLC.
  • Show more

Test analyst example responsibilities.

  • Implement reusable test strategy to rewire QA methodology and achieve increase in efficiency.
  • Execute end to end regression testing which include executing multiple processes in UNIX, running automate test scripts and performing validation.
  • Organize daily meetings with QA team and Dev team to recognize the blocking issues within the project.
  • Test the stored procedures functionality vs. ETL mapping after the migration of code from PL/SQL to ETL mappings.
  • Report bugs to developers using JIRA and after rectification from developers perform regression testing.
  • Document and champion defects in QC ALM.
  • Show more

Automation tester vs test analyst skills

Common automation tester skills
  • Java, 10%
  • Jenkins, 4%
  • QA, 4%
  • Jira, 3%
  • Scrum, 3%
  • Regression, 3%
Common test analyst skills
  • Test Scripts, 6%
  • Test Plan, 5%
  • Regression, 5%
  • Test Results, 5%
  • Java, 5%
  • Manual Test Cases, 5%

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