Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between test specialists and software 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 software tester. Additionally, a software tester has an average salary of $78,580, 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 software tester are test results, regression, and test scripts.
| Test Specialist | Software Tester | |
| Yearly salary | $76,761 | $78,580 |
| Hourly rate | $36.90 | $37.78 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 58,423 | 208,853 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
The responsibility of software testers involves the quality assurance of software development and deployment. Software testers conduct manual and automated tests to make sure that the software is developed for its purpose. They remove the issues and bugs within a product before deployment to users. Their responsibilities include software and systems analysis, risk mitigation, and software-related issue prevention. They should have skills in automation, programming, social networking, logical thinking, and mobile and web technology.
Test specialists and software testers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Specialist | Software Tester | |
| Average salary | $76,761 | $78,580 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $96,000 | Between $61,000 And $100,000 |
| Highest paying City | Columbia, MD | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Sony Interactive Entertainment America | Nordstrom |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a test specialist and a software tester in terms of educational background:
| Test Specialist | Software Tester | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Business | Computer Science |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between test specialists' and software testers' demographics:
| Test Specialist | Software Tester | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% | Male, 62.1% Female, 37.9% |
| 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% |