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Job outlook for software test engineers in the United States
Software Test Engineer job and salary trends over time
Software Test Engineer jobs over time
Software Test Engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180,696 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 182,516 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 157,988 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 105,087 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 90,092 | 0.03% |
Average software test engineer salary over time
Software Test Engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $85,338 | $41.03 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $82,527 | $39.68 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $80,658 | $38.78 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $79,086 | $38.02 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $77,299 | $37.16 | +1.5% |
Software Test Engineer jobs by state
Most common states for software test engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 680 | 98% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 4,810 | 65% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,208 | 47% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 478 | 45% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,622 | 43% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,586 | 43% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 416 | 43% |
| 8 | Vermont | 623,657 | 270 | 43% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,293 | 42% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,665 | 40% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 14,269 | 36% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,947 | 35% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 433 | 32% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 567 | 30% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,575 | 28% |
| 16 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 292 | 28% |
| 17 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 238 | 27% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 156 | 27% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 200 | 26% |
| 20 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 707 | 24% |
Most common cities for software test engineers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natick | 19 | 58% | $84,669 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 11 | 28% | $88,048 |
| 3 | Reston | 7 | 12% | $82,366 |
| 4 | Cupertino | 6 | 10% | $115,764 |
| 5 | Dubuque | 6 | 10% | $69,154 |
| 6 | San Mateo | 8 | 8% | $115,993 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | 9 | 7% | $115,696 |
| 8 | Irvine | 11 | 4% | $99,471 |
| 9 | Durham | 7 | 3% | $76,248 |
| 10 | Austin | 17 | 2% | $76,979 |
| 11 | Boston | 11 | 2% | $84,671 |
| 12 | Denver | 11 | 2% | $74,689 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 10 | 2% | $71,386 |
| 14 | Plano | 7 | 2% | $75,020 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 13 | 1% | $115,955 |
| 16 | San Diego | 9 | 1% | $97,601 |
| 17 | Seattle | 7 | 1% | $96,143 |
| 18 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $88,644 |
| 19 | Chicago | 10 | 0% | $72,434 |
Software Test Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of software test engineer experts
California State University - Sacramento
Nova Southeastern University
Carnegie Mellon University
Seminole State College of Florida
Eastern Washington University
Northwestern University
Southwestern University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Texas A&M University
Aurora University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Mount St. Joseph University
Taylor University
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 2. Computer science remains in high demand in today's job market, with California exemplifying this trend. In recent years, the number of open positions in the state has exceeded the average demand rate by 1.5 times. At the University of the Pacific, our CS program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and experiences to thrive in this landscape. Through our co-op program, in collaboration with recruiters such as Nvidia, HP, and Lawrence Livermore National Lab, students have the opportunity to participate in paid internships lasting approximately 8 months. These internships provide invaluable exposure to real-world work settings and allow students to apply their knowledge in practical contexts and gain valuable industry insights. It is worth noting that many of our graduates choose to return to the same company post-graduation.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 1. This is a pretty broad question. CS degree graduates can engage in different tasks and responsibilities based on the nature of their profession. Examples include 1) software engineering, in which the individual's efforts are toward leading or contributing to software development projects, 2) IT management, where the individual mainly oversees technology strategies and their implementation, 3) cybersecurity, where the individual's responsibilities are associated with the protection of systems and data from cyber threats, and 4) data and AI engineering, where the individual works on machine learning applications and analyze and derive insights from large datasets.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Sepehr Mohammadian: 3. The appeal of computer science among students is often attributed to the relatively short journey from concept to execution. Unlike many engineering fields where hardware constraints can impede the swift realization of ideas, the development of software offers a streamlined process. With nothing more than access to a computer and relative proficiency in programming, individuals can swiftly transform their ideas into tangible solutions. This accessibility and agility contribute to the popularity of CS among aspiring students. On the other hand, CS heavily relies on abstract analysis as a fundamental skill for success. Students who struggle with grasping abstract concepts may find themselves frustrated or disengaged with the field.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: As a Computer Science graduate, it’s vital to work on independent projects outside of course projects or assigned tasks. This allows you to apply your knowledge and explore new areas and opportunities. Showcasing these projects in a digital portfolio provides a visual and tangible representation of your skills and growth. Emphasizing your attention to clean coding and documentation reflects your professionalism and attention to detail. The field is vast and rapidly evolving, so stay curious, keep learning, and enjoy your professional journey. Avoid getting caught up in fleeting trends. Understanding the difference between work, job, and career is crucial; find work and jobs that contribute to your long-term career aspirations while steadily maintaining your focus on your career goals. In addition, being aware of the organization’s environment and culture at the workplace you intend to work at is important. Familiarize yourself with workplace methodologies like Agile, Just-In-Time (JIT), DevOps, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Feature-Driven Development (FDD), Extreme Programming (XP), Rapid Application Development (RAD), and Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) (to name a few). Each organization will have its unique blend of these elements, and knowing what works best for you will help you thrive in your chosen career path. Remember, the key to success in this dynamic field is continuous learning and adaptation.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: To optimize your earning potential in the field of Computer Science, it’s important to establish a solid educational foundation and master widely-used programming languages and technologies. Internships offer invaluable hands-on experience, and obtaining industrial certifications in specialized areas can significantly increase your marketability. Cultivating a robust professional network and honing your salary negotiation skills are also key. It’s important to stay updated with the latest technological advancements, salary trends, and consider focusing on a niche area in high demand. From the outset of your career conversations, it’s beneficial to communicate clear salary expectations. Conduct thorough research on the current market rates for the role you’re targeting to ensure your expectations are realistic. Understanding your worth in the market is crucial, and you should aim for a salary that not only reflects your skills and experience but also keeps you motivated and invested in your work. Remember, while salary is a significant factor, aspects like work-life balance and job satisfaction also play a vital role in your overall career satisfaction. Aim for a win-win salary negotiation where both you and your employer feel the compensation is fair and equitable.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Sridhar Ramachandran: The field of Computer Science is a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape. Over the next 3-5 years, several skills will gain prominence. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be indispensable due to the surge in data generation. Cybersecurity will become critical as our reliance on digital systems intensifies, and it will be everyone’s prerogative to ensure the security of their digital assets. Essential cybersecurity skills will include understanding of network security, proficiency in security software tools, knowledge of threat and vulnerability assessment, and the ability to implement incident response and recovery plans. Proficiency in Cloud Computing platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure will be sought after as businesses increasingly transition to the cloud. Data Science and Analytics will continue to be pivotal for data-driven decision making. Quantum Computing, though nascent, holds the potential to revolutionize the field. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving will be vital in managing complex, interdisciplinary projects. In this dynamic field, employees who know how to learn, unlearn, and relearn will have a competitive advantage. This is particularly true with the emerging importance for AI programming languages like Julia, Swift for TensorFlow, and Rust.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Kin Chung Kwan: Computer science is rapidly growing, with new technologies emerging daily. The desired skill set can vary from year to year. We should always stay updated on the latest global developments and prepare to learn something new. Keeping your skills up-to-date and aligning them with the current needs of employers and target customers is crucial to maximizing salary potential.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kin Chung Kwan: We are in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. AI development will continue to be a global priority and dominate the tech landscape in the next few years. For computer scientists seeking career progression, gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI is crucial. Furthermore, understanding limitations, ethical considerations, safety and security measures associated with AI is an important responsibility that every computer scientist should be aware of.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Kin Chung Kwan: Programming is the cornerstone of computer science. Solving problems effectively through proficient programming is a vital key to career success. Learning programming is like athletic training. One cannot become a skilled athlete solely through attending lectures. Programming skills can only be improved with consistent practice. Learning new techniques and repeated practice can help professionals refine their programming abilities and achieve career success.
Junping Sun Ph.D.
ProfessorNova Southeastern University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Being capable to perform, being competitive to excel, being able to communicate as a team player, being a connoisseur to act, being a clairvoyance to perceive, being creative to innovate, being conscientious with professional integrity.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Computer Science and its applications in various fields are very dynamic and constantly evolving, and anyone in the fields needs to prepare to be adaptive by lifelong learning.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Junping Sun Ph.D.: Computer science is an algorithm science for problem solving in real world applications. The skills of problem solving require critical thinking with solid foundation of the professional knowledge in the relevant domains. It is crucial to have strong critical thinking skill with sophisticated logical and philosophical perspectives.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Jonathan Aldrich: Hone your skills so you are great at what you do, and gradually build to be great at what you want to do next. When you are confident in your current position, look for the next step--which may be a promotion in your current organization or a new job outside it.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jonathan Aldrich: AI is a powerful new tool but it is also unreliable. Learn how you can use it but also what its limitations are, so that you can protect yourself and your customers from those limitations. Always have a way to double-check that the results of AI are sensible and appropriate. No one is a lone coder anymore--you'll be more effective if you can work with other people and with tools that multiply your capabilities. Work on your teamwork skills and keep your eye out for new tools and technologies that make you more effective.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jonathan Aldrich: Be open to new experiences and focus on learning from them. A degree in computing gives you a foundation but there will be new challenges in every job; always be thinking about what you can do to become more effective at your tasks.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Holger Findling: Most companies have a fixed range in salary for new hires. There is very limited space to negotiate a higher pay. It used to be a standard practice not to stay more than three years with a company because salary increases are associated with labor grade ranges. A larger salary increase can be realized by moving to a different company. Typically, 5% increase vs 3% salary increase. However, a programmer needs to continue studying in the field of interest. Earn a master's degree. Be the best you can be!
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Holger Findling: Decide what technical area you would like to work in your field of expertise. Do you like to work for the aerospace industry? Decide what specific component you are interested in. Aircraft, Missiles, Energy, Navy - ships, Finance? The issue is that these components are developed in different states. For instance, in Florida Mid-Range missiles are developed and flight simulators. However, aircrafts are developed in Texas, Georgia, and Arizona, not in Florida. There are a lot of programmers needed for financial software. Most likely these jobs would be in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, California and Massachusetts. In other words understand what industry you would like to work for, and understand that the industries are clustered in different states.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Holger Findling: Technologies are changing very fast, and you must change with it. Don't be rigid. AI is going to increase in the next five years, and the demand for programmers will be high. You would have to take courses studying AI concepts. Bio-Medical fields and Biometrics will be expanding in capabilities and these fields will need a lot of programmers. Take some additional courses, for example Biology and Chemistry.
Dan Tappan
Eastern Washington University
Computer Software And Media Applications
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Dan Tappan: As much as possible, become a subject matter expert in the domain you're working in. The biggest problems we have are in not understanding the customer's problem and not understanding the customer's problem domain. Neither side is conversant in the other's world. We can't expect the customer to learn software development, so we have to learn about their world to bridge this gap.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dan Tappan: This field changes so rapidly, it's hard to predict. Artificial intelligence has really taken off recently. There's no clear distinction between AI, machine learning, big data, and related areas anymore. They all blend together. These aren't just used as solutions to problems; they're also playing an ever-larger role in the tools we use to solve those problems. ChatGPT, for example, helps in writing documentation, and Google products help in writing code. Solid skills in these areas can streamline the development process.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dan Tappan: There's not much room for salary negotiation as a new graduate with no experience. Every CS graduate shares roughly the same required background. What often distinguishes one applicant from another, or boosts the salary, is non-required experience with personal projects, contributions to open-source development, and so on. This shows not only applications of the required background, but also the initiative to learn and do more than is expected for the degree.
David Ostrowski
Northwestern University
Information Science/Studies
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
David Ostrowski: Create value in your position, become an expert in a few key areas to maximize value, concentrate on deep skill sets within a specific application domain, innovate and push the limits of technology.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Ostrowski: Keep Learning. Some in the past have held the understanding that learning stops after college. While college gives you the foundation and insight, one needs to continually be learning throughout their career. Maintain an entrepreneurial mindset - even and especially if you plan on working for a large corporation (intrapreneur). Take a portion of your workweek to pursue new ideas and innovate. Maintain a portfolio of your work internally or externally. Love your work.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
David Ostrowski: Deep technical software skills, incorporating and innovating with AI, programming languages like Golang, Solidity, Rust, JavaScript, understanding and appreciation of the functional programming paradigm. Innovation and pushing the limits of technology.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Be prepared for a lifelong learning experience; it just begins now. Be confident in what you know but open to learn more because you will.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Enjoying your job is the most important thing for success and longevity.
Smaller businesses usually will pay more but offer the potential to move up as the company grows. Big payoffs can come if the small company that you help to grow sells off to a larger company a few years down the road. You don't have to wait years as this can happen in today's fast pass IT industry in 2-5 years.
Earn a Master's degree such as the WVU Online Master of Science in Software Engineering we offer, ranked #13 in US News, or the MS in Computer Science we offer on campus in beautiful Morgantown, West Virginia. (sorry, I had to put in a plug for our programs) If you don't have the graduate degree when you begin, start as soon as possible as most employers offer some employee benefit, paying for some or for the entire degree.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dale Dzielski MBA, CMA®, PMP®, SAFe® 4 Agilist: Gain knowledge in Statistics, Data Analytics, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence as well as understanding of Agile Methodology, architecture and design principles/concepts, and development tools such as Jira and GitHub. These will continue to grow in importance to your career. Also, keep watching for disruptive technologies. These will change the way we live and perform our jobs such as the impact AI has already had. I can't name them now because they haven't been innovated or named yet. In fact, you may become a part of doing so.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Jacob Schrum: When it comes to any technology-based field, it is extremely important to be able to learn new things. The tools that today's graduates end up using down the line probably don't exist yet, but there are still foundational skills that are important for graduates to have. The Southwestern University Computer Science program teaches students the core knowledge in data structures, algorithms, programming languages, and more that they need to succeed in various careers related to computer science, but we also give them the chance to do meaningful project-based work that sets them up for career success. This is especially true in the CS Capstone course, which involves meeting with a real-world client, discussing their needs, and then engineering a software solution to meet those needs. This experience allows students to engage with modern tools in an applied context, and requires them to develop the soft skills of communication and negotiation to satisfy the needs of their client.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jacob Schrum: Generative AI is obviously affecting many industries. Although these systems can write code, this will not eliminate the need for skilled coders and problem solvers. However, those entering the field now can use generative AI systems to quickly write formulaic boiler-plate code, which will give them more time to focus on real problem solving. Systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can also serve as interactive troubleshooting tools that can be more effective than searching the web for a specific answer to a very obscure problem. Still, there is ultimately no substitute for having the actual skills to do these tasks on your own. These systems are improving, but they don't get everything right, and they have a major problem with knowing when they are wrong. Furthermore, certain companies and industries don't want their proprietary code disclosed to companies that own these AI systems, and thus do not allow employees to use them. I'll also note that skills not just in using AI systems, but in creating them will be in high demand. Granted, only a few big companies realistically have the kinds of resources to create the models behind ChatGPT, etc, but other companies can either use these models, or make their own much smaller scale models. Furthermore, Machine Learning skills were in high-demand even before generative AI hit the scene, so I would recommend focusing on those skills.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jacob Schrum: This is definitely not my area of expertise as someone who has mainly been confined to academia for most of his career, but from what I can see, the demand for the skills our students have is still high enough. The main challenge seems to be landing that first job. Once that has been accomplished, it is on the student (now employee) to demonstrate their worth, and keep seeking opportunities to learn and improve. If the company is not giving them the chances for advancement or has a bad working environment, then they should be on the lookout for better opportunities. Granted, there have been some significant layoffs in the tech industry, and that does mean that new graduates entering the market are sometimes in competition with more experienced job candidates. However, the salary expectations of those experienced candidates can make entry-level positions less appealing to them, so there are still opportunities for those entering the field. I suppose this is sort of an unusual way to respond to a question about maximizing salary potential ... I understand that everyone wants to make money, but it is important to be realistic about the job market. Once you have an offer, you can bargain a bit, and you can always be on the lookout for better opportunities, but I think that early on it is a bit more important to gather experience and a steady work record. Ultimately, one will have to weigh the tradeoffs between the opportunities they actually have, and act accordingly.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lyle Ford: Be flexible and open to new experiences. Technology changes rapidly and your skills will have to evolve to keep up. You will always need your creativity and problem solving skills, but the way in which you implement them will change with your environment which will require you to constantly update your skillset. Always look for opportunities to network. This can give you insights into developing areas and open doors for future paths you may be unaware of.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Lyle Ford: Having a broad base of skills, both technical and interpersonal are very valuable. Often, physics majors are hired to be problem solvers and each problem has its own set of unique conditions that may require a different set of skills to solve. The ability to be an effective team member is vital and proof of that will make you stand out. Evidence of independent work is also helpful so highlight and research or internship experiences you have had.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Lyle Ford: Computer skills (programming, working effectively with AI, and the like) will be important as the world continues to automate. The ability to design, build, and repair electronic and electromechanical systems will also be important for the same reason.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Aakash Tyagi: (a) Ability to work at the intersection of AI/ML and vital fields like bioengineering, finance, environmental sciences, Cyberphysical systems, etc., (b) Continual learning and adaptability to changing technology landscape, (c) Critical thinking, problem solving in medium to large team structures.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aakash Tyagi: Treat your career as a marathon, not a sprint. Early years in one's career are best spent understanding the technology at its core and what drives innovation. You'll be a great developer and a great leader if your technical fundamentals are strong. This has never been so true than now in the age of generative AI and LLM where creativity and depth of understanding is what will set you apart from others (human and machine).
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Aakash Tyagi: Salary potential is truly in the eyes of the beholder. Technical depth of knowledge and skills is quintessential, followed closely by a demonstrated track record of willingness to learn and adapt, and ability to communicate clearly.
Dr. Ramona Baima
Senior Lecturer of Mathematics & Field Experience SupervisorAurora University
Mathematics
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Dr. Ramona Baima: For sure, in the next 3-5 years the level of technology will increase exponentially with the addition of AI. It is very important for graduates to continue to want to learn and improve their skills in the field of computer science and advanced mathematics in order to be able to be creative, come up with and implement unique ideas.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ramona Baima: They can maximize their salary potential by choosing carefully the company they are starting to work for. They should look for companies that offer incentives such as paying for continuing education (such as master degree, certificates), possibility of exchanging ideas with international colleagues, investments within the company (such as 401K and pension). They also should be informed about the actual job hierchacy within the company and the possibilities of advancing their job position.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Ramona Baima: They can maximize their salary potential by choosing carefully the company they are starting to work for. They should look for companies that offer incentives such as paying for continuing education (such as master degree, certificates), possibility of exchanging ideas with international colleagues, investments within the company (such as 401K and pension). They also should be informed about the actual job hierchacy within the company and the possibilities of advancing their job position.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Research Salary Trends, Acquire In-Demand Skills, Gain Relevant Experience, Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter, Prepare for Salary Negotiations, Consider Additional Benefits.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (LLMs): With the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and BERT, skills in natural language processing (NLP), transfer learning, and fine-tuning pre-trained models will become increasingly valuable. LLMs have applications in areas such as text generation, sentiment analysis, and language translation.
Sustainable AI: As concerns about the environmental impact of AI and computing grow, skills in sustainable AI practices, energy-efficient algorithms, and green computing will be in demand. Professionals who can develop AI solutions that minimize energy consumption and carbon footprint will play a crucial role in building a more sustainable future.
Cybersecurity: With the ever-increasing threat landscape and sophisticated cyberattacks, cybersecurity skills will remain critical. In addition to traditional cybersecurity practices, such as network security and encryption, skills in areas such as threat intelligence, incident response, and penetration testing will be in high demand.
Cloud Computing: As more businesses migrate their infrastructure and services to the cloud, skills in cloud computing will continue to be in high demand. Proficiency with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as expertise in areas like serverless computing, containerization, and hybrid cloud architectures, will be valuable for building and managing scalable and resilient cloud-based solutions.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Ahmed Imteaj PH.D.: Research Salary Trends: Before entering the job market, research salary trends for entry-level positions in your field and location. Websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and LinkedIn Salary can provide valuable insights into typical salary ranges for different roles.
Acquire In-Demand Skills: Identify in-demand skills and technologies in your field and focus on acquiring them through coursework, certifications, internships, or personal projects. Skills such as machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data science are highly valued and can command higher salaries.
Gain Relevant Experience: Prioritize gaining relevant experience through internships, co-op programs, part-time jobs, or freelance projects. Practical experience can significantly increase your market value and make you more attractive to employers.Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the job requirements. Highlighting your unique qualifications can increase your chances of landing interviews and negotiating a higher salary.
Prepare for Salary Negotiations: Before entering salary negotiations, research the typical salary range for the position and location, considering factors such as cost of living and industry standards. Practice articulating your value proposition and be prepared to negotiate confidently for a salary that reflects your skills, experience, and market value.
Consider Additional Benefits: In addition to salary, consider other benefits and perks offered by employers, such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and bonuses. These benefits can add significant value to your overall compensation package.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Evgenia Smirni: I would say that quick pivoting and embracing changes is very important - this is a very fast changing field.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Evgenia Smirni: Try to have as many internships as possible as a student. The most important one is the internship of the junior year where typically companies make return offers for a regular position - try to make the most out of it!
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Evgenia Smirni: Focus on having a strong basis of the fundamentals. The purpose of your education is to teach you asking the right questions to be able to find the right solutions. This field is changing continuously. Learning how to pivot when new, emerging trends happen, is key for success. Last but not least, do not underestimate the value of liberal arts educations - combining CS with liberal arts can offer communication skills that are of paramount importance for your career trajectory in this tech field.
Ali Alouani
Professor of ECEWhat Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ali Alouani: Be confident, work hard, and have good communication skill.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Ali Alouani: Have co-op/internship experience, good GPA, and impress the recruiter.
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Ali Alouani: Engineering and Computer Sciences
Rich Maclin
ProfessorUniversity of Minnesota - Duluth
Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Rich Maclin: With the emergence of AIs based on large language models one of the obvious skills we are all going to need is to learn how to effectively interact with these systems to produce useful products. These systems can write some code, but adjusting it for your situation is the real skill, and these models can likely be guided to do that. A bit like asking it to write a story and then asking it to rewrite that story. I have heard various names applied to jobs in this area: AI prompt engineer, Generative Design Specialist, AI Trainer, etc. Large Language Models are likely here to stay and will be used to extend human capabilities.
The field continues to place more and more emphasis on adaptability--being handed a perhaps vaguely described problem and working on a team to better define that problem and come up with possible solutions. Students don't always like courses with open-ended requirements specifications (where there isn't a single right answer), but this is the skill companies tell us they are mostly looking for.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rich Maclin: Maximizing your salary potential when you start probably will follow from being willing to relocate. Beyond that, I suspect soft skills (being able to make presentations, writing well, interacting with people, etc.) are the most useful thing for people looking to maximize that potential. Of course, given the large number of fields computer science touches the maximization process likely depends on what you want to do. And for that matter, I suspect many of our students would say they are looking to do well salary-wise but to be happy and fulfilled by their work as well. This would again go back to the question of what are you looking to do in life, and there are a lot of different answers to that question. At this point, there seem to be more computer jobs (again, if you are willing to relocate) than people to fill them, so salary is likely just one aspect of many for students to consider.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Rich Maclin: My advice to my students always starts with the fundamental question--what are you trying to achieve? What do you want out of job? Are you looking for a steady income, job security, a challenge, a particular field, etc.? When I talk to students in our upper division Software Engineering course my suggested approach is to try to understand the culture of the job you were taking on, and by extension, take whatever training they offer you. But honestly, I also tell them BEFORE they graduate that they need to think about what comes next and perhaps work on those other skills that may help them with jobs they want. If they want to go into a finance-related field maybe take some business courses in accounting, etc. If they play multiple instruments (seems like many of our students do) maybe take music courses and look for companies that work in the music field. Computer science and software at this point touch almost every industry, so before they leave I often suggest students take courses in areas that might lead them to be more attractive to companies in that field.
Rebecca Allen
Mount St. Joseph University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Rebecca Allen: AI, for sure. I have heard it said that AI might not replace humans, rather humans who know how to use AI well may replace humans who don't.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rebecca Allen: Get hands-on experience. Join the workstudy program, take the co-op or the internship. Be sure to apply what you've learned!
Dr. Jonathan Denning
Associate Professor and Department Co-chairTaylor University
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: Ask lots of questions. Don't assume that the company is going to offer you a job with the very best benefits. Ask questions that help you understand what the typical range of pay will be, and what things are they looking for to help make decisions on pay.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: As with most things in this world, CS ideas come and go and return in cycles. Large monolithic systems with dumb terminals get replaced by smart personal devices, but then it will soon switch back to large servers and thin clients, followed by simple back ends with intelligent front ends... What was big about 5--10yrs ago will likely become the next greatest thing in 5yrs. As technology progresses (access to info, memory capacities, processing power, etc.), we will find new ways to apply old techniques, but these are still old techniques. Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence is far from a new thing, having been around for as long as programming has been a thing, but it's a hot topic (again) at the moment. The important skill to hone is in communicating. If you know how to talk with people and to understand their problems, then you will be able to find a solution that is good for them. If you don't know how to work with people, then any solution will fall short of actually solving the problem.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jonathan Denning: 1. Keep learning the fundamentals. The CS field is ever changing, so don't get caught up in understanding only the latest and greatest framework or language, as tomorrow there will be another one to replace it. Instead, focus on the fundamentals, so that you can quickly become familiar with whatever framework is decided upon.
John Matta
Associate Professor of CS, SIUESouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Computer And Information Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Software Test Engineer?
John Matta: Networking. A lot of people feel weird about it, but you really can negotiate your job offers. Be sure to keep benefits in mind.
What Software Test Engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Matta: Cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Overall, I would say that technical skills will get you employed, but personal and people skills will keep you there.
What will help Software Test Engineers increase their earning potential?
John Matta: Keep learning. The technology changes quite often, so you'll have to stay current.