SOC 15-1253
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ44/100
Elevated
US Employment
๐ฅ199,800
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$103K
$61K โ $167K
Projected Growth
๐+10%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค84/100
High exposure
๐ก Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers face a risk score of 44/100 โ 0 points above the national average of 44. With 84/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $103K ($56K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 44/100, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like chatbot displacement of customer-facing interactions are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 199,800 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in crisis debugging of complex production incidents and ethical ai oversight and bias auditing to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
Chatbot displacement of customer-facing interactions
Cloud automation reducing infrastructure management roles
Large language model automation of analysis tasks
AI-driven cybersecurity threat detection replacing analysts
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Crisis debugging of complex production incidents
Ethical AI oversight and bias auditing
Mentoring junior developers and team leadership
Stakeholder negotiation and requirements elicitation
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
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.
๐ป Technology Skills
Word processing software
Development environment software
Object or component oriented development software
Data base user interface and query software
Document management software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Computers and Electronics
English Language
Mathematics
Engineering and Technology
Design
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers | 16 | $145K | 61% |
| Mathematicians | 24 | $122K | 70% |
| Computer Occupations | 26 | $106K | 81% |