QA Engineer vs. QA Tester: What Are the Differences?

A quality assurance engineer and a quality assurance tester are both responsible for ensuring the quality of a product. Though their roles are similar, there are several key differences between the two positions. In this article, we discuss the job duties, skills and education requirements of a quality assurance engineer and a quality assurance tester. We also provide information on the average salary and job outlook for each position.

What is a QA Engineer?

A QA Engineer is responsible for testing software to ensure it meets the needs of the customer and does not have any defects. They create test plans and test cases, and then execute those tests to find bugs or other issues. QA Engineers work closely with software developers to understand the features that are being created and how they should be tested. They also work with customer support to understand the problems that customers are having and whether those problems are due to defects in the software. QA Engineers typically have a background in computer science or software engineering.

What is a QA Tester?

QA Testers are responsible for ensuring the quality of digital products such as websites and software applications. They work with developers and product managers to understand the product’s requirements and create test plans accordingly. QA Testers execute manual and automated tests to find bugs and glitches. They also track and report their findings to the relevant stakeholders. QA Testers may also be involved in developing and maintaining testing infrastructure. In some cases, they may also train and mentor other team members on quality assurance best practices.

QA Engineer vs. QA Tester

Here are the main differences between a QA engineer and a QA tester.

Job Duties

QA engineers have more technical duties than QA testers. They’re responsible for designing test plans, creating automated testing tools and conducting manual tests.

QA testers mainly conduct manual tests, but they may also perform some automated testing. Their job is to determine whether a product meets its quality standards through the process of testing. Both QA professionals are responsible for reporting their findings and providing feedback to help improve a product before release.

Job Requirements

QA engineers and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or another related field. They might also need experience in software development or testing. Some employers prefer candidates to have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required for entry-level positions. Additionally, many QA engineers and testers pursue certifications through the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). This organization offers training programs that teach professionals how to use software testing tools and other techniques they might need on the job.

Work Environment

QA engineers and QA testers work in different environments. While both professionals may work for software companies, the engineer typically works in an office setting while the tester often travels to clients’ locations to test products. The quality assurance engineer also has more responsibilities than a tester because they’re responsible for creating testing plans and ensuring that their company’s products meet customers’ needs.

QA testers usually work in offices or other professional settings where they can use computers and other equipment to perform their duties. They may travel to client sites to test products but spend most of their time at these locations performing tests.

Skills

Both quality assurance engineers and testers use analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues with products. They also need to be able to follow instructions carefully and have attention to detail to spot errors.

However, there are some key differences in the skills each of these professionals uses. Quality assurance engineers typically need to have programming skills so they can develop automated testing scripts. They also may benefit from having project management skills to help them plan and coordinate testing efforts. Quality assurance testers do not necessarily need to have programming skills, but they should know how to use various types of software so they can test products effectively. They also may need to have customer service skills when working with clients or customers who are providing feedback about products.

Salary

The average salary for a QA engineer is $82,083 per year, while the average salary for a QA tester is $67,469 per year. The salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has.