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What is a junior quality assurance tester and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

Junior quality assurance testers ensure that a company's software systems are functioning up to predetermined standards. To do this, they conduct various tasks such as reviewing system specifications, executing test scripts, analyzing the results, and reporting any technical issues that they may find.

Moreover, junior quality assurance testers work closely with quality assurance engineers to create testing strategies and plans. They report bugs to development teams, as well as assist in troubleshooting issues like viruses and bugs. They usually work with senior quality assurance testers and cross-functional teams to ensure utmost quality throughout the development process.

A degree is not always required for this job, but it can be a huge advantage. Nevertheless, high school graduates and school leavers can become junior quality assurance testers with enough experience in software development and quality assurance. Furthermore, anyone who wants to become a junior quality assurance tester must be knowledgeable in test management software, SQL, and QA methodology, among other pertinent topics.

Junior quality assurance testers make an average annual salary of $64,000 per year. With enough experience in this position, their careers usually progress to senior QA roles which have higher earning potentials.

ScoreJunior Quality Assurance TesterUS Average
Salary
4.9

Avg. Salary $62,660

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 50.94%

male 49.06%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Junior quality assurance tester career paths

Key steps to become a junior quality assurance tester

  1. Explore junior quality assurance tester education requirements

    Most common junior quality assurance tester degrees

    Bachelor's

    62.8 %

    Master's

    21.5 %

    Associate

    8.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior quality assurance tester skills

    SkillsPercentages
    QA8.01%
    Manual Test Cases6.69%
    Regression6.08%
    SQL Server5.32%
    Test Plan5.12%
  3. Complete relevant junior quality assurance tester training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior quality assurance testers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior quality assurance tester based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior quality assurance tester resumes.
  4. Research junior quality assurance tester duties and responsibilities

    • Manage departmental inventory and troubleshoot testing, reporting and inventory issues.
    • Install Java add-ins for QTP for application under test.
    • Perform end to end testing using production data and log the defects in JIRA.
    • Experience with testing GUI components with positive and negative test cases.
  5. Prepare your junior quality assurance tester resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior quality assurance tester resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a junior quality assurance tester resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable junior quality assurance tester resume templates

    Build a professional junior quality assurance tester resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior quality assurance tester resume.
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
    Junior Quality Assurance Tester Resume
  6. Apply for junior quality assurance tester jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a junior quality assurance tester job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first junior quality assurance tester job

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Average junior quality assurance tester salary

The average junior quality assurance tester salary in the United States is $62,660 per year or $30 per hour. Junior quality assurance tester salaries range between $42,000 and $93,000 per year.

Average junior quality assurance tester salary
$62,660 Yearly
$30.12 hourly

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How do junior quality assurance testers rate their job?

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Junior quality assurance tester reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020
Pros

I like testing because it can be interesting. Things can change but also stay the same. I like routine but not repetition doing the same thing. Testing isn't the best job but a good job.

Cons

Some things you test can be really picky to pass. It's likely they will always fail the first time. Some test seem to always pass and seek insufficient. I always look at productivity but also efficiency. So if not necessary by customer and always passes I can't see why a part of the test he removed especially if another part of the test will fail if it does. Options I am always open to.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Working with technology.

Cons

Automated testing is more in demand than manual testing.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

New field to work with compassion.

Cons

Low pay structure as compared to the efforts put in.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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