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The differences between test specialists and quality assurance testers 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 specialist and a quality assurance tester. Additionally, a test specialist has an average salary of $76,761, which is higher than the $74,140 average annual salary of a quality assurance tester.
The top three skills for a test specialist include test results, test cases and java. The most important skills for a quality assurance tester are manual test cases, regression, and test scripts.
| Test Specialist | Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $76,761 | $74,140 |
| Hourly rate | $36.90 | $35.64 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 58,423 | 82,396 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A test specialist is responsible for evaluating and running diagnostic tests for system networks and applications to ensure stability and efficiency according to the quality standards. Test specialists analyze the system's features and write findings reports for improvement and technical resolutions. They also help system engineers in developing infrastructures and designing servers to support business operations and maximize productivity. A test specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying malfunctions and inconsistencies before the actual launch of deliverables.
A quality assurance tester, also known as QA tester, has different responsibilities depending on the line of work or industry involved. In a computer development setting, they are in charge of working and coordinating with technical engineers. They have to conduct regular tests for new software and programs, identify inconsistencies, and find areas for improvement. Furthermore, a quality assurance tester must produce reports from the tests, which can be the basis of progress for further developments.
Test specialists and quality assurance testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Specialist | Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Average salary | $76,761 | $74,140 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $96,000 | Between $55,000 And $99,000 |
| Highest paying City | Columbia, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Sony Interactive Entertainment America | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test specialist and a quality assurance tester in terms of educational background:
| Test Specialist | Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between test specialists' and quality assurance testers' demographics:
| Test Specialist | Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8% |
| 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% |