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The differences between functional testers and automation testers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a functional tester and an automation tester. Additionally, an automation tester has an average salary of $82,429, which is higher than the $76,647 average annual salary of a functional tester.
The top three skills for a functional tester include java, test cases and web application. The most important skills for an automation tester are java, jenkins, and QA.
| Functional Tester | Automation Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $76,647 | $82,429 |
| Hourly rate | $36.85 | $39.63 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 37,146 | 47,656 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A functional tester's main responsibility is to validate the behavior of an application and analyzed the requirements of the clients. They are skilled in Java and database design for software development. The tasks they do are complex, including scanning IDs of the receiver and serial numbers on each unit, testing the units to make sure they work properly, and checking for any defects and damages. They are also trained in using numerical codes for passing or failing each unit and writing serial numbers on the production tracker.
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.
Functional testers and automation testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Functional Tester | Automation Tester | |
| Average salary | $76,647 | $82,429 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $94,000 | Between $63,000 And $107,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellevue, WA | San Ramon, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Cerner | Bloomberg |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a functional tester and an automation tester in terms of educational background:
| Functional Tester | Automation Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between functional testers' and automation testers' demographics:
| Functional Tester | Automation Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7% | Male, 63.6% Female, 36.4% |
| 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% |