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The differences between test specialists and senior 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 senior quality assurance tester. Additionally, a senior quality assurance tester has an average salary of $93,770, 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 tester are test cases, QA, and regression.
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $76,761 | $93,770 |
| Hourly rate | $36.90 | $45.08 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 58,423 | 81,916 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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 senior quality assurance tester manages junior quality assurance staff. They test documents, lead testing procedures, and ensure customer satisfaction. They also work with an engineering development team to make updates to software.
Test specialists and senior quality assurance testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Average salary | $76,761 | $93,770 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $96,000 | Between $73,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | Columbia, MD | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Sony Interactive Entertainment America | Sagarsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test specialist and a senior quality assurance tester in terms of educational background:
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between test specialists' and senior quality assurance testers' demographics:
| Test Specialist | Senior Quality Assurance Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6% |
| 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% |