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What is a software tester and how to become one
Software Testers participate fully in the quality assurance stage of software development. They are in charge of conducting manual and automated tests to ensure that the developed software fits its purpose. Again, they ensure that things like bugs or other related issues are removed before it is released to the public. Some other responsibilities of a Software Tester include preventing future software issues and performing software analysis. And to succeed in this task, there are some skills you need to acquire as a person; some of them include creative skills, reporting skills, communication skills, strong knowledge of business, and excellent IT knowledge.
Academic qualification is needed for this job, but mind you, this is more of a pragmatic job. In as much as your academic qualifications may count, your ability to proffer a practical solution is what matters the most here. Nevertheless, prospects need Bachelor's or Master's degree in math, computer science, or engineering. As for the salary of a Software Tester, it depends on the experience, the size of the company, and the country. In the United States, an average Software Tester is paid as high as $141,000 and as low as $20,000 per annum.
What general advice would you give to a software tester?
Craig Tidwell Ph.D.
Professor/Program Manager, Seminole State College of Florida
Avg. Salary $78,580
Avg. Salary $59,228
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%
Genderfemale 37.87%
male 62.13%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is intermediate
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
Software tester career paths
Key steps to become a software tester
Explore software tester education requirements
Start to develop specific software tester skills
Skills Percentages Test Results 6.85% Regression 6.50% Test Scripts 5.25% Jira 4.65% Manual Test Cases 4.46% Complete relevant software tester training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New software 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 software tester based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real software tester resumes.Research software tester duties and responsibilities
- Involve in the SDLC of an online payment manage website, draft the test case and execute the test case.
- Execute and manage defects using JIRA extensively.
- Support for UNIX and Linux base servers.
- Utilize UNIX and Linux base servers and an Informix RDBMS to host Perl and java-base application features.
Prepare your software tester resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your software 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 software 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 software tester resume templates
Build a professional software 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 software tester resume.
Apply for software tester jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a software tester job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first software tester job
Are you a software tester?
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Average software tester salary
The average software tester salary in the United States is $78,580 per year or $38 per hour. Software tester salaries range between $61,000 and $100,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do software testers rate their job?
Software tester reviews
Still have to deal with people :)
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.
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.
Working with technology.
Automated testing is more in demand than manual testing.
Updated January 8, 2025
