This article is part of an IT Career News series called Your Next Move. These articles take an inside look at the roles related to CompTIA certifications. Each article will include the responsibilities, qualifications, related job titles and salary range for the role. As you consider the next move in your IT career, check back with CompTIA to learn more about your job prospects and how to get there.
When it comes to working within an organization, we always need that one person who will maintain and evaluate projects or scenarios. In this case, that person is a quality assurance (QA) analyst. This job role is among the many project management jobs that help an organization stay on top of things. If you have a knack for problem-solving and want to develop and execute software test plans, then quality assurance analyst could be your next move.
What Is a Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst?
A quality assurance analyst completes detailed and important tasks throughout their workday. Here are a few ways they support an organization:
- Create test plans, scenarios and procedures for new software
- Identify project risks and recommend steps to minimize those risks
- Implement software testing, using either manual or automated programs and exploratory testing, and evaluate results
- Document and report defects or problems with software
The role of a QA analyst is to essentially develop and execute software test plans in order to identify software problems and their causes. Although it sounds technical, this role typically does not require coding experience. Tech occupation employment for QA analysts over the next 10 years is expected to grow at about twice the rate of overall employment across the U.S. economy. Furthermore, software developers and QA analysts are among the top 3 tech occupation categories projected to grow much faster, at about 215% above the national rate.
How To Become a Quality Assurance Analyst
The majority of job postings for a QA analysts require a high school diploma, vocational training or a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Job postings also describe the ideal candidate as having 0-5 years of experience. A few important qualities include:
- Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Detail oriented
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving skills
In addition to credentials and important qualities, quality assurance analysts need a specific skill set and experience. A few of these skills may include:
- SQL
- Software development
- Quality management
- Microsoft Excel
- Business quality assurance and control
Having a background in both business and technology is often seen as a plus, as it can help a quality assurance analyst better assess how the organization operates or how to select and implement new test plans. Certifications like CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ can help you understand more about implementing and executing technology solutions in the workplace. Check out the CompTIA Career Roadmap to see what other certifications can help you become a quality assurance analyst.
In addition to certifications, CompTIA offers a full suite of training products to help you learn the skills needed to become a quality assurance analyst.
If you’re ready to start learning now, CompTIA Project+ (PK0-004) training includes the following:
- CertMaster Practice: Test your knowledge and find out if you’re ready for the exam.
- The Official CompTIA Study Guide: Learn and review exam objectives with our comprehensive textbook.
In November 2022, CompTIA will launch a new version of CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005), along with a full suite of training products:
- CertMaster Learn: Learn at your pace with interactive lessons and videos
- CertMaster Labs: Get hands-on practice using real software applications
- CertMaster Practice: Test your knowledge and find out if you’re ready for the exam
- The Official CompTIA Study Guide: Learn and review exam objectives with our comprehensive textbook
- CompTIA Tech Career Academy: Learn the skills, get certified and receive practical career advice from experts in our eight-week program
- CompTIA Live Online Training: Train in real time with experienced instructors online
Want to see more? Check out our available training options offered in the CompTIA store.
The Details
Quality Assurance Analyst Salary Range
According to Lightcast, the median advertised salary for a quality assurance analyst is $98,000 as of 2021. This is 115% higher than the median national wage in the United States. Although, many factors do influence wages including location, job-level, industry sector, employer size, specialty skills, years of experience and more.
|
10th Percentile |
25th Percentile |
50th Percentile |
75th Percentile |
90th Percentile |
| $49K |
$72K |
$98K |
$125K |
$153K |
Quality Assurance Analyst Jobs
During the 12-month period ending July 2022, there were nearly 22,000 job postings for open QA analyst positions. About 3 in 10 (or more than one-quarter) were remote or partially remote (hybrid) positions.
The number of jobs for QA analysts continues to grow, with 5,000+ more postings (an increase of 30%) compared to the prior 12-month period. But even before then, there were 21,400+ job postings in 2019 and 17,200 in 2017.
A few employers currently holding multiple job postings for QA analysts include DirectTV Incorporated, Pearson, UnitedHealth Group, Humana and Avi Web Solutions.
Job Titles Related to Quality Assurance Analyst
- IT project manager
- Business analyst
- Business development manager
- IT and special systems project manager
+ Means More
At CompTIA, + means IT careers. That means you can consider us your partner on your journey to becoming certified, as well as finding, interviewing for and winning that new job role.
- We help you save money. Getting a CompTIA certification is an investment in your career but getting a discount can help. There are several ways you can save money on your CompTIA purchases.
- We help you decide how to take your exam. Scheduling your exam is the easy part. CompTIA exams are offered at testing centers around the world as well as through online testing, which is available 24/7, so you can test in person or at home. Learn more about your testing options.
- We help you land your next job. CompTIA certifications hold great value in the IT industry and are highly sought-after by recruiters. They signify a proven competence and expertise in various tech disciplines, making individuals who earn these certifications stand out in the job market.
Need more job inspiration? Check out CompTIA’s Tech Job Report video series now premiering on CompTIA Connect. Learn more about the latest data and trends in tech hiring and the implications for employers and the U.S. workforce with new episodes each month.
Read about more IT jobs featured in Your Next Move.
Will your next move be quality assurance analyst? If so, download the exam objectives for CompTIA Project+ to learn more.
