Kazeem Razaq @K.Razaq / 5:00 PM EDT. May 24, 2023.
Being a QA tester can be one of the most rewarding careers you could ever have. It's an amazing feeling to test a product before it is released to the public and make sure that everything works properly as intended. As you get better, more skilled and more experienced as a tester, you will also be able to earn more. Here are nine (that's right - nine!) tips on following your path to becoming a QA tester and earning good money while doing it.
Software Quality Assurance, or QA, is a field that is not well known among people who are new to the tech industry. Being a high-quality QA tester requires a unique combination of creativity and analytical skills. This job has many benefits, such as an opportunity to work remotely, the freedom of working flexible hours and being able to travel around the globe -- it is a dream career for many. Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty and walk you through the steps on how to become a QA tester and start your career in software testing.
Want to know the best part of a QA job? They are in high demand. PayScale.com tells us that a QA engineer's annual pay ranges from $58,000 to $96,500. But, it's more than just great money. Quality assurance engineers make important enhancements to products in the software industry.
We can help you become a stand-out QA Engineer. Our award-winning training includes a paid co-op placement and courses instructed by highly skilled trainers. Click here to see our schedule.
A QA tester is the perfect job for individuals who like a hands-on approach to their working environment. On this page, I outline exactly how you can become a QA tester and start earning amazing money, based on research and personal experience. I would like to help you build a career in Quality Assurance.
Get a Job as a QA Tester with these 9 Simple Steps. Become a QA Tester, get an upfront Salary, and Enjoy Quality Assurance Testing.
Who is apoorly designed Quality Assurance tester?
QA stands for "quality assurance," which refers to the process of testing an application to ensure that it works as intended. This can involve testing software, websites and even hardware. Some companies hire dedicated QA testers while others rely on existing employees to perform this task.
Quality assurance is a vital part of the development cycle for any piece of software. Without it, developers risk releasing code that is full of bugs, doesn't function properly, or worst of all crashes often. On the business side, a shoddy, poorly-designed app will lead to poor reviews and lost customers. In this guide, we'll go over what quality assurance testing is, how you can get into the field, how much you can expect to make as a QA tester, and what it takes to advance your career to become a senior QA engineer.
Role of a QA Tester.
The role of a QA tester varies depending on the company or project they're working on. They may be responsible for ensuring that software applications work correctly or that web pages display properly across different browsers and devices (such as mobile phones). They also may be tasked with finding bugs or glitches within programs or websites before they're released to users.
A QA tester is someone who tests the software before it is launched. They check if the product meets the quality standards, and they report any issues that they find during testing.
It is not hard to become a QA tester with these 9 Steps.
All you have to do is learn about the job, the skills required and their value, the tools used, career path and salary. Here are 9 steps you can take:
The first thing that you need to do is learn about your potential job as a QA tester by reading books on it or watching videos on YouTube etc. This will give you an idea of what exactly this profession entails and how much it pays off in terms of money as well as satisfaction level at work
1. Understand the QA Tester job title.
QA (Quality Assurance) testers are responsible for conducting test cases to ensure that software meets its requirements. They also identify bugs, errors, and defects in the application.
QA testers help developers and product managers to verify whether their products meet customer requirements. After a new functionality is developed by the team, QA testers review it by testing if it works as expected or not.
It’s important to note that QA is different from testing. While both roles perform tests on an app or website during a development, they do so with different objectives: while one party tests the correctness of a certain behaviour or function, another one checks how well everything falls into place together as a whole.
2. Learn not just one - but a few programming languages.
Learning a programming language will enable you to write test cases and automation scripts. A programming language is used to write the script, which is instructions in code that are executed automatically by the computer. The QA Tester must be familiar with several languages, including:
Python
Java
It will also help if you learn scripting languages like Bash or Perl because they can be used for automating repetitive processes on the command line (i.e., interacting directly with the operating system).
You should also try your hand at writing some basic tests using Selenium WebDriver before moving on to more advanced coding projects such as writing APIs for websites or apps.
3. Become familiar with QA techniques and methodologies.
As a QA tester, you must be able to understand how to test software. Without this knowledge, your job will be much more difficult and you may end up producing subpar results.
There are many different methodologies that can help you test software properly. Some of them include:
Test-driven development (TDD)
Behaviour-driven development (BDD)
Continuous integration testing
4. Study Professional Mistakes
What is the very best way to learn? You must learn from the mistakes of others. This applies especially to those who are just starting out in this field. Study professional mistakes and do it well so that you can avoid making similar errors when you start working as a QA Tester.
In order to study professional mistakes, you need to know what errors are common among your colleagues and other testers in general. Then, after understanding how these errors affect their work, try not to commit them yourself or avoid repeating them as much as possible.
5. Learn to write test cases and perform testing activities in an accurate manner.
A good test case should be written in an accurate manner. It should be written in a way that is easy to understand, easy to follow, and easy to execute. It’s important for you as a QA tester to know how to write excellent test cases because it will help you develop your skills and become more successful as a QA tester.
6. Get a certification.
A good QA Tester needs to be proficient in the tools and methodologies used for testing. Having a certification is the best way to prove this to potential employers. There are several certifications available, and it's important to choose the one that fits your needs.
Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE)
Certified Tester
Certified Quality Analyst (CQA)
7. Pursue black box testing skills
Black box testing is a method of testing the software without knowing its internal structure. It's a popular testing technique because it can be applied to any software and can be used to test the software from a user's perspective that is, it's not dependent on how the code works but rather on how it behaves for users.
Black box testing is also called functional testing and white box testing, depending on what you already know about the program under scrutiny.
8. Seek out mental challenges that help you learn more about yourself as a tester
You have to be willing to learn more about yourself as a tester. This means that you should seek out mental challenges that help you learn more about yourself as a tester. Try this for example:
Try to learn something new every day!
Try to learn something new every week!
Try to learn something new every month!
Try to learn something new every year!
Try to learn something new every 5 years!
Try to learn something new every 10 years (or so)!
9. Update your CV, resume and LinkedIn profile accordingly
Update your CV and resume to reflect the new skills, experience, education and certifications that you have gained. Make sure that it's up to date with all your contact details.
It would help if you had a LinkedIn profile that reflects these changes as well. Be sure to keep it updated with all the information you've added in the other two documents above.
Your LinkedIn profile should accurately reflect what you're doing right now and where you're headed professionally. It should also highlight what makes you stand out from the crowd - whether it's in terms of skills or experience or education or certifications - so potential employers know exactly how valuable hiring you will be for them!
Quality Assurance tester job salary scale
The salary scale for Quality Assurance (QA) testers can vary significantly depending on various factors such as location, experience, industry, and the specific responsibilities of the role. Here is a general overview of the salary range you can expect for QA testers in the United States, as of my last knowledge update in 2022. Keep in mind that these figures can change over time, and salaries may differ in other countries.
Entry-Level QA Tester:
Annual Salary: $40,000 to $60,000
Hourly Rate: $15 to $25 per hour
Entry-level QA testers typically have little to no professional experience in the field.
Mid-Level QA Tester:
Annual Salary: $60,000 to $80,000
Hourly Rate: $25 to $40 per hour
Mid-level QA testers often have a few years of experience and may take on more responsibilities in the testing process.
Senior QA Tester:
Annual Salary: $80,000 to $120,000+
Hourly Rate: $40 to $60+ per hour
Senior QA testers are experienced professionals who may lead testing teams, develop test strategies, and handle more complex testing scenarios.
QA Lead/Manager:
Annual Salary: $90,000 to $150,000+
Hourly Rate: $45 to $75+ per hour
QA leads or managers oversee testing projects, coordinate teams, and develop testing strategies.
QA Director or Head of QA:
Annual Salary: $120,000 to $200,000+
Hourly Rate: $60 to $100+ per hour
At the highest levels, QA directors and heads of QA are responsible for the overall quality assurance strategy of an organization.
It's important to note that these figures are approximate and can vary based on the location. For instance, QA salaries in major tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City may be higher than the national averages.
Additionally, the industry you work in can also impact your salary. QA testers in industries such as software development, gaming, and finance may earn different amounts due to varying demands and standards in those sectors.
We hope this article has given you a glimpse into the world of QA testing, as well as provided you with some essential tips and tools to be a QA tester. With the information provided above, I am sure you will be able to get started in no time! Remember, even if it takes a little bit longer than expected, keep at it and remember how rewarding this job can be when done right.
If you are interested in learning more about QA testing or upgrading your skills to allow you to earn more, then reach out to us at BusyQA.