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The differences between senior quality assurances and 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 senior quality assurance and a tester. Additionally, a senior quality assurance has an average salary of $98,182, which is higher than the $65,202 average annual salary of a tester.
The top three skills for a senior quality assurance include QA, java and test cases. The most important skills for a tester are java, test results, and web application.
| Senior Quality Assurance | Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $98,182 | $65,202 |
| Hourly rate | $47.20 | $31.35 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 79,947 | 52,595 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The senior quality assurance or QA agent is in charge of ensuring all products and services are up to the company's standards and customer expectations. The role is vital as it helps the company fine-tune its products and services, resolve issues, and satisfy customer experience. Through the quality assurance team headed by its senior leaders, a company grows, expands, and improves. A quality assurance agent needs to have an eye for detail, be highly organized, and provide insights and advice for continual improvement.
The role of technical testers is to test computer software for defects, bug errors, or any issues that may come across by an end-user. They mainly conduct product testing and prepare reports about any problems or recommendations for improvements. Other responsibilities include reviewing test plans, assessing and analyzing product specifications and requirements, and mapping out testing strategy. Technical testers also frame the test environments or support network management staff and system administrators. Qualifications for this position include knowledge of the database or structured query language, proficiency in Linux commands, and proficiency in defect tracking tools.
Senior quality assurances and testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Quality Assurance | Tester | |
| Average salary | $98,182 | $65,202 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $128,000 | Between $42,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redwood City, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Apple | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a senior quality assurance and a tester in terms of educational background:
| Senior Quality Assurance | Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | - |
Here are the differences between senior quality assurances' and testers' demographics:
| Senior Quality Assurance | Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3% | 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% |