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The differences between test specialists and senior quality assurance analysts 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 senior quality assurance analyst. Additionally, a senior quality assurance analyst has an average salary of $93,563, which is higher than the $76,761 average annual salary of a test specialist.
The top three skills for a test specialist include test results, test cases and java. The most important skills for a senior quality assurance analyst are QA, manual test cases, and regression.
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $76,761 | $93,563 |
| Hourly rate | $36.90 | $44.98 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 58,423 | 123,719 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| 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.
Senior quality assurance analysts are responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance standards within an organization. They collect and analyze data to reinforce proposed projects, systems requirements, and business cases. These will include writing scripts and test plans to monitor errors and fixes in product and software development, operational systems, and information systems. Besides, they are also responsible for several tasks, including preparing reports and recommendations, communicating with suppliers and vendors in assessing applications, and conducting internal audits.
Test specialists and senior quality assurance analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Analyst | |
| Average salary | $76,761 | $93,563 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $96,000 | Between $74,000 And $117,000 |
| Highest paying City | Columbia, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Sony Interactive Entertainment America | Riot Games |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test specialist and a senior quality assurance analyst in terms of educational background:
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | - |
Here are the differences between test specialists' and senior quality assurance analysts' demographics:
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Analyst | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 52.8% Female, 47.2% |
| 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% |