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What does a manual tester do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read

A manual tester is in charge of testing products for quality assurance. Among their responsibilities include understanding and identifying the projects' needs and guidelines, studying the product's specifications and materials, taking measurements, and performing assessments in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. They may also create and establish test structures, maintain records, and produce progress reports. Moreover, a manual tester must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

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Manual tester responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real manual tester resumes:

  • Used JIRA to manage testing and track test results for each build and report defects detect.
  • Manage departmental inventory and troubleshoot testing, reporting and inventory issues.
  • Assign the tasks of conducting regression testing, UAT testing and update testing reports to the manager.
  • Contribute in developing website by using HTML coding.
  • Design and develop front view components using JSP and HTML.
  • Ensure to communicate SDLC testing results to the appropriate authority.
  • Project is based on the SDLC from start to finish.
  • Investigate defects and used JIRA for logging, tracking and reporting bugs in the application.
  • Experience working with WebServices using SOAPUI tools to validate XML request and response using different methods.
  • Create forms to collect and validate data from the user in HTML5, AJAX and JavaScript.
  • Involve in testing the XML files and check whether data is parsed and load to staging tables.
  • Involve in Backend testing of the database by writing SQL queries to test the integrity of the application.
  • Perform data validation on the flat files that are generated in UNIX environment using UNIX commands as necessary.
  • Script the test cases using BPT components in QTP and execute them in the test lab of ALM.
  • Review test cases in excel with tech lead, BSA and UAT resources and obtain sign off before execution.

Manual tester skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Manual Testers are proficient in Manual Test Cases, Regression, and QA.

We break down the percentage of Manual Testers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Manual Test Cases, 6%

    Participated in test plan creation and from the detailed requirements, created manual test cases for web applications.

  • Regression, 5%

    Performed database validation, negative testing, error/bug retests and usability, regression and functional testing.

  • QA, 5%

    Managed weekly meetings with the QA team to obtain status, gather innovative ideas for continuous process improvements and delegate workload.

  • Test Scripts, 4%

    Designed and Developed the Automation Test Scripts using Selenium WebDriver using Java.

  • Jira, 4%

    Experience in Defect Management including tracking and reporting bugs using HP ALM/Quality Center and thorough knowledge in JIRA.

  • Status Reports, 4%

    Reviewed various design documents to test custom reports including Supervisor Credit Approval reports, Customer-Wise Credit status Reports.

Common skills that a manual tester uses to do their job include "manual test cases," "regression," and "qa." You can find details on the most important manual tester responsibilities below.

See the full list of manual tester skills

The three companies that hire the most manual testers are:

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Manual tester vs. Test analyst

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.

The annual salary of test analysts is $10,683 lower than the average salary of manual testers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between manual testers and test analysts are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like manual test cases, regression, and qa.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, manual tester responsibilities require skills like "development life," "selenium," "compatibility," and "data driven." Meanwhile a typical test analyst has skills in areas such as "selenium webdriver," "strong problem-solving," "data warehouse," and "test environment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Test analysts earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $74,197. On the other hand, manual testers are paid more in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $95,307.The education levels that test analysts earn slightly differ from manual testers. In particular, test analysts are 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a manual tester. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manual tester vs. Senior quality assurance analyst

Senior quality assurance analysts are responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance standards within an organization. They collect and analyze data to reinforce proposed projects, systems requirements, and business cases. These will include writing scripts and test plans to monitor errors and fixes in product and software development, operational systems, and information systems. Besides, they are also responsible for several tasks, including preparing reports and recommendations, communicating with suppliers and vendors in assessing applications, and conducting internal audits.

Senior quality assurance analyst positions earn higher pay than manual tester roles. They earn a $11,883 higher salary than manual testers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Manual testers and senior quality assurance analysts both require similar skills like "manual test cases," "regression," and "qa" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, manual tester responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "development life," "test plan," "selenium," and "backend." Meanwhile, a senior quality assurance analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "selenium web," "data warehouse," "front end," and "api." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Senior quality assurance analysts earn a higher average salary than manual testers. But senior quality assurance analysts earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $99,710. Additionally, manual testers earn the highest salaries in the hospitality with average pay of $95,307 annually.In general, senior quality assurance analysts achieve similar levels of education than manual testers. They're 3.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Manual tester vs. Test specialist

A test specialist is responsible for evaluating and running diagnostic tests for system networks and applications to ensure stability and efficiency according to the quality standards. Test specialists analyze the system's features and write findings reports for improvement and technical resolutions. They also help system engineers in developing infrastructures and designing servers to support business operations and maximize productivity. A test specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying malfunctions and inconsistencies before the actual launch of deliverables.

On average, test specialists earn lower salaries than manual testers, with a $4,919 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on manual testers and test specialists resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "regression," "qa," and "test scripts.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a manual tester is likely to be skilled in "manual test cases," "test plan," "functional specifications," and "ui," while a typical test specialist is skilled in "test cases," "test equipment," "troubleshoot," and "client facing."

When it comes to education, test specialists tend to earn lower degree levels compared to manual testers. In fact, they're 7.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Manual tester vs. Quality assurance engineer

A Quality Assurance Engineer's role is to oversee the overall production and ensure that the product is cost-efficient and aligns with the company's standards. The responsibility mainly revolves around conducting activities that examine and scrutinize the condition of a product or service to identify issues and come up with possible solutions to resolve the issue or attain stronger customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the Quality Assurance Engineer must also ensure that the product adheres to the government regulations and market guidelines.

Quality assurance engineers tend to earn a higher pay than manual testers by an average of $535 per year.While their salaries may vary, manual testers and quality assurance engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "manual test cases," "regression," and "test scripts. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between manual testers and quality assurance engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a manual tester might have more use for skills like "qa," "status reports," "development life," and "test plan." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of quality assurance engineers require skills like "python," "api," "c++," and "c #. "

The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for quality assurance engineers, with average annual pay of $100,740. Comparatively, the highest manual tester annual salary comes from the hospitality industry.In general, quality assurance engineers hold similar degree levels compared to manual testers. Quality assurance engineers are 1.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of manual tester

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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