Headline risk
1%
Very Low RiskSoftware quality assurance analysts and testers
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 35% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 102,610
Employment 2024
201.7K
Projected Change (2024–34)
10.0%
Openings (2024–34)
14.0K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content. AI use: 0%
- 2. Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers. AI use: 98%
- 3. Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability. AI use: 0%
- 4. Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures. AI use: 0%
- 5. Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards. AI use: 0%
- 6. Install, maintain, or use software testing programs. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 42.3 · 72K employed
Under 25: 4% · 25–54: 88% · 55+: 8%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
title_match · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
Many software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work in computer systems design and related services, in manufacturing, or for software publishers. They often work in offices and on teams with other software developers or quality assurance analysts and testers.
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree.
The median annual wage for software developers was $133,080 in May 2024.
Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.