Post job

What is a test automation lead and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
ScoreTest Automation LeadUS Average
Salary
7.0

Avg. Salary $89,324

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.1
Race

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%

Gender

female 21.95%

male 78.05%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
5.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Test automation lead career paths

Key steps to become a test automation lead

  1. Explore test automation lead education requirements

    Most common test automation lead degrees

    Bachelor's

    63.0 %

    Master's

    30.4 %

    Associate

    3.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific test automation lead skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Java7.98%
    Scrum4.89%
    Jira4.67%
    QA4.39%
    Automation Framework4.06%
  3. Complete relevant test automation lead training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New test automation leads 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 test automation lead based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real test automation lead resumes.
  4. Research test automation lead duties and responsibilities

    • Enter the defects into JIRA and manages the resolution and documentation of these defects.
    • Perform inter-departmental audits documenting ISO compliant results with associate corrective action requests in order to achieve company-wide certification.
    • Used JIRA for creating and tracking defects.
    • Establish connection between automation scripts and PostgreSQL / DB2 to validate UI applications.
  5. Get test automation lead experience

    Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a test automation lead. The most common roles before becoming a test automation lead include quality assurance lead, test engineer team lead and quality assurance analyst.
  6. Prepare your test automation lead resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your test automation lead 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 test automation lead resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable test automation lead resume templates

    Build a professional test automation lead 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 test automation lead resume.
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
    Test Automation Lead Resume
  7. Apply for test automation lead jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a test automation lead job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first test automation lead job

Zippi

Are you a test automation lead?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average test automation lead salary

The average test automation lead salary in the United States is $89,324 per year or $43 per hour. Test automation lead salaries range between $69,000 and $115,000 per year.

Average test automation lead salary
$89,324 Yearly
$42.94 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do test automation leads rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Test automation lead reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

New field to work with compassion.

Cons

Low pay structure as compared to the efforts put in.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019
Pros

Interaction with colleagues

Cons

I prefer having fun joking while working, a barrier between people doesn't make me feel good.


Working as a test automation lead? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs