How To Become A Test Specialist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a test specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

As a test specialist, you will be responsible for evaluating and conducting diagnostic tests for system networks and applications to ensure they are stable and efficient based on quality standards. You will analyze the features of the system and prepare a report of your findings for improvement and technical resolutions. You will assist system engineers in developing infrastructures and designing servers to aid business operations and optimize productivity. Also, you will ensure the proper implementation of test scripts and record test results in test logs.

Employers require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related technical field with at least two years of relevant work experience. Applicants must possess strong organizational, technical, analytical, and communication skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Being a certified test specialist is an added advantage. Test specialists make an average salary of $71,751 yearly or $34.5 per hour. The salary falls within the range of $59,000 and $86,000.

ScoreTest SpecialistUS Average

Salary

6.0

Avg. Salary $76,761

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 37.89%

male 62.11%

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

Key steps to become a test specialist

Explore test specialist education requirements

Most common test specialist degrees

Bachelor's

56.9 %

Associate

19.7 %

Master's

10.5 %

Start to develop specific test specialist skills

Skills	Percentages
Test Results	7.44%
Test Cases	7.33%
Java	5.80%
Test Data	4.28%
Test Scripts	3.97%

Complete relevant test specialist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New test specialists 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 specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real test specialist resumes.

Research test specialist duties and responsibilities

Create weekly drive routes and work with RF engineers to achieve desire coverage.
Manage defects and finalize testing documents to meet standards of IBM's QA process.
Validate the UI and backend of web base applications that are used to manage medical information.
Lead UAT testing for the local project, as well as maintained test activity logs, reporting status to management.

Prepare your test specialist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your test specialist 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 specialist 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 specialist resume templates

Build a professional test specialist 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 specialist resume.

Apply for test specialist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a test specialist 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 do test specialists rate their job?

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Test specialist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020

Pros

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.

Cons

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.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020