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The differences between test & development engineers and quality assurance specialists 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 & development engineer and a quality assurance specialist. Additionally, a test & development engineer has an average salary of $80,977, which is higher than the $63,443 average annual salary of a quality assurance specialist.
The top three skills for a test & development engineer include python, test equipment and test development. The most important skills for a quality assurance specialist are GMP, patients, and FDA.
| Test & Development Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $80,977 | $63,443 |
| Hourly rate | $38.93 | $30.50 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 97,438 | 83,505 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A test and development engineer is primarily in charge of developing and conducting quality assurance procedures, ensuring that manufactured products adhere to the company's quality standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include performing research and analysis to identify a company's quality control and assurance needs, examining raw materials and other components, gathering and analyzing data from test procedures, and recommending the best practices and solutions in problem areas. Furthermore, as a test and development engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating every step of the way.
A quality assurance specialist is an individual who is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and proposing measures to correct and improve a company's product. Quality assurance specialists need to outline quality assurance policies and procedures, making sure that quality standards are assured. It is important that a quality assurance specialist should have strong attention to detail and is excellent in data collection. This work may require a minimum of bachelor's degree and certification to get certified.
Test & development engineers and quality assurance specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test & Development Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Average salary | $80,977 | $63,443 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $106,000 | Between $41,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a test & development engineer and a quality assurance specialist in terms of educational background:
| Test & Development Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between test & development engineers' and quality assurance specialists' demographics:
| Test & Development Engineer | Quality Assurance Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% |
| 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% |