Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer and Mathematical · SOC 15-1253
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
Decision card
Career Evidence Passport
SOC 15-1253 evidence across exposure, wages, projections, postings, certified LCAs, skills, and transitions.
- SOC exposure
- 52.0%
- Very High · Anthropic AEI
- Automation friction
- 27/100
- Low friction; broad SOC seed ORS job-requirements coverage.
- Wages
- $104,300
- H-1B offered wage $104,000; LCAs are filings.
- Projected openings
- —
- BLS EP 2024–2034; employment change +10.0%.
- Observed/proxy demand
- 18,694
- FY2025 certified LCAs; 4,187 postings in 2025.
Skill evidence
- H-1B values are certified Labor Condition Applications, not visa approvals.
- Job postings are seed-static / seed-derived; treat as provider-ready proxy coverage until observed provider data is wired in.
- Transition matches are directional skill-overlap context, not placement guarantees.
- This release is a FutureGrid broad-SOC seed derived from public BLS ORS requirement concepts and categories, not direct occupation-level ORS survey estimates. It describes job requirements, not worker ability, AI capability, or displacement probability. Automation friction is a FutureGrid derived score and should be read alongside exposure, demand, wage, and projection signals.
Best transitions from here
Explore all pathways→Lower AI-exposure roles that reuse your skills, ranked by a transition score (skills that transfer, safety gain, pay and retraining effort).
AI Exposure Analysis
Across AI measures
Multiple exposure lenses for this occupation.
AI could do ~87.7% of this role but only ~52% is currently done with AI — a large capability-vs-adoption gap.
Top Skills
H-1B Visa Sponsorship Demand
View full H-1B trends →Certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications naming this occupation, FY2016–FY2025. A descriptive high-skill labor-demand signal — employer filings, not visa approvals or individual outcomes. Note: one LCA can cover multiple worker positions.
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Automation Tester, Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst), Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer), Quality Engineer, Software Quality Assurance Analyst (SQA Analyst)
Representative Tasks
- •Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
- •Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
- •Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
- •Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
- •Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Document operational activities.
- •Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
- •Troubleshoot issues with computer applications or systems.
- •Compile technical information or documentation.
- •Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
Tools & Technologies
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
Employment & Wage Trend
BLS OEWS, 2019–2025
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). See /sources.
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 51.9% | 35.3% |
| Outlook | Average | 19% Bright |
| Median Salary | $104,300 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 48/100 | N/A |