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The differences between junior quality assurance engineers and quality assurance leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a junior quality assurance engineer and a quality assurance lead. Additionally, a quality assurance lead has an average salary of $94,758, which is higher than the $69,173 average annual salary of a junior quality assurance engineer.
The top three skills for a junior quality assurance engineer include java, jira and regression. The most important skills for a quality assurance lead are QA, test cases, and test plan.
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $69,173 | $94,758 |
| Hourly rate | $33.26 | $45.56 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 107,440 | 82,242 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
In a manufacturing setting, a junior quality assurance engineer specializes in developing and executing quality assurance test procedures in adherence to the company's standards and regulations. They are typically in charge of reviewing production plans and designs, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of current methods, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures in a timely manner. Furthermore, as a junior quality assurance engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating every quality assurance activity.
A quality assurance lead, also known as QA Lead, is responsible for conducting necessary quality tests and analyses for software program and development. As a quality assurance lead, they must take the lead in ensuring quality during development by proactively performing critical evaluations, troubleshooting, and providing precise documentation. It is also essential to identify issues and resolve them as soon as possible. Furthermore, a quality assurance lead must maintain an active line of communication and coordination as most of the work will be in a team setting.
Junior quality assurance engineers and quality assurance leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Average salary | $69,173 | $94,758 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $89,000 | Between $72,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Interactive Brokers | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a junior quality assurance engineer and a quality assurance lead in terms of educational background:
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between junior quality assurance engineers' and quality assurance leads' demographics:
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 63.0% Female, 37.0% |
| 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% |