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The differences between senior test analysts 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 senior test analyst and a quality assurance lead. Additionally, a quality assurance lead has an average salary of $94,758, which is higher than the $79,186 average annual salary of a senior test analyst.
The top three skills for a senior test analyst include java, jira and regression. The most important skills for a quality assurance lead are QA, test cases, and test plan.
| Senior Test Analyst | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $79,186 | $94,758 |
| Hourly rate | $38.07 | $45.56 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 90,551 | 82,242 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A senior test analyst conducts tests and analyzes test results with the aim of ensuring their clients' requirements. They support information technology activities, including coordinating with the information technology team. They run test estimation models, create reports on the data they gather, and teach others to employ said data.
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.
Senior test analysts and quality assurance leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Test Analyst | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Average salary | $79,186 | $94,758 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $96,000 | Between $72,000 And $123,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Cerner | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Retail |
There are a few differences between a senior test analyst and a quality assurance lead in terms of educational background:
| Senior Test Analyst | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between senior test analysts' and quality assurance leads' demographics:
| Senior Test Analyst | Quality Assurance Lead | |
| 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% |