The role of a Quality Assurance (QA) Tester

What is a QA Tester?

A Quality Assurance Tester is responsible for helping to uncover issues within a company’s website, software, products, or anything else that could experience malfunction throughout the user experience. Quality Assurance Testers are in charge of identifying errors, finding the source of those errors, and fixing the issues either on their own or within a QA team. They also work collaboratively with developers to optimize the software efficiency

A QA Tester needs to be inquisitive, so they are able to consider all situations where the software or product might fail. After discovering problems, they then need to use their communication skills to convey the issues they found with the development teams.

What qualifications do you need to be a QA Tester?

Whilst a degree is not necessary to be a QA Tester, it does help to have a degree in Computer Science, Computer Applications, or within a similar field. If you do not have a degree in one of the applicable fields, then there are many different courses and qualifications you can complete in order to pursue a career in QA Testing.

What skills do you need to be a QA Tester?

Technical Skills:

• Understanding of different operating systems and applications
• Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Management skills
• Programming Languages
• Front-End Skills
• API Testing
• Dev tools

Soft Skills:

• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Business acumen
• Critical thinking skills
• Organisation skills
• Creative thinking

What is the average salary of a QA Tester?

The average starting salary of a QA Tester is £30,000

The average mid-level salary of a QA Tester is £48,750

The average high-level salary of a QA Tester is £75,250

What are the responsibilities of a QA Tester?

• Work in collaboration with other teams to help produce top quality software programs
• Design and develop the test automation framework
• Manage any software issues that may arise and drive resolutions throughout the testing process
• Share technical expertise with your team and the rest of the company
• Actively participate in the Software Development Life Cycle and Software Testing Life Cycle

What industries do QA Testers work in?

Quality Assurance Testing can be done in a variety of fields. They are usually an important asset to any businesses that rely on safe, functional software to perform. Industries include:

• Healthcare
• Public Sector
• Financial Services
• Video Gaming

As the number of people using the internet, mobile devices, and web apps increases, so does the demand for QA Testers. Over the past year, the demand for QA Tester has grown by 72%. Companies are developing new software and applications which need QA Testers to help ensure top-quality production.