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The differences between test analysts and test managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a test analyst and a test manager. Additionally, a test manager has an average salary of $92,297, which is higher than the $70,997 average annual salary of a test analyst.
The top three skills for a test analyst include test scripts, test plan and regression. The most important skills for a test manager are QA, project management, and java.
| Test Analyst | Test Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $70,997 | $92,297 |
| Hourly rate | $34.13 | $44.37 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 91,308 | 27,489 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A test manager is responsible for supervising the content of test activities and ensuring that the scope meets the test requirements. Test managers monitor the test process and determine the accurate strategies to establish efficient methods for the success of test deliveries. They also identify the resources according to quality standards and budget limitations. A test manager oversees the technical controls of the test processes and measures the quality of tools and applications for optimal automation.
Test analysts and test managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Analyst | Test Manager | |
| Average salary | $70,997 | $92,297 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $88,000 | Between $71,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | General Motors | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a test analyst and a test manager in terms of educational background:
| Test Analyst | Test Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between test analysts' and test managers' demographics:
| Test Analyst | Test Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8% | Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3% |
| 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% |