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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallYes, software testing jobs are projected to grow faster than the average U.S. occupation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% growth for software quality assurance analysts and testers from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3% for all occupations. That is a positive national outlook, not proof that openings are plentiful in every city, specialty, or experience level.
What the U.S. outlook says
BLS counted about 187,600 U.S. software quality assurance analyst and tester jobs in 2025 and projects about 198,200 in 2035. The projected increase is 6% over the decade. BLS also projects about 10,700 openings per year during 2025–35; annual openings include jobs created by growth as well as openings when workers leave or change occupations. These are national projections, not a live count of advertised vacancies.
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For the occupation-specific projection and its definitions, see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
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| Measure | U.S. projection, 2025–35 |
|---|---|
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | 6% growth |
| All occupations | 3% growth |
| Combined group: software developers, QA analysts, and testers | 10% growth |
The 10% figure applies to the combined developer, QA analyst, and tester group—not testers alone. Using it as a tester-specific growth rate would overstate the occupation’s projection.
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What software testers do—and which titles to search
BLS describes the core work plainly: “Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.” In practice, testing is part of collaborative software development: testers help find and communicate problems so teams can address them. It is not limited to running scripts.
O*NET lists reported titles such as QA Analyst, Automation Tester, QA Engineer, Software Quality Engineer, Software Test Engineer, and Test Engineer. Titles are not standardized across employers, so search several variations and read each posting’s responsibilities rather than relying on the label. See O*NET’s profile for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Why BLS expects continued demand
BLS points to several factors behind its outlook for the broader software developer and tester group:
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- More software development involving artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics, and other automation.
- Security concerns that may lead organizations to invest in protective software and testing.
- Software becoming part of more products, including connected devices and electric vehicles.
These are reasons for the agency’s forecast, not a guarantee that every software testing specialty will grow at the same pace. The national projection does not establish whether generative AI will increase or eliminate a particular tester role, whether manual testing is disappearing, or whether automation skills alone secure a job.
Where testers work
Software QA analysts and testers work across industries. In 2025, BLS lists computer systems design and related services as the largest employer category, at 30% of tester jobs. Finance and insurance accounted for 13%; software publishers and manufacturing each accounted for 9%. These figures describe the distribution of jobs, not the rate of hiring or growth within each industry.
Pay: a national reference, not an entry-level promise
The U.S. median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $104,300 in May 2025, according to BLS. In the same wage distribution, the lowest 10% earned less than $61,440 and the highest 10% earned more than $167,010. These figures cover workers nationally and do not predict an individual’s starting pay; location, experience, employer, and role affect what a particular posting offers. BLS provides the wage data on its occupation outlook page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Education and preparation
BLS says workers in the combined developer, QA analyst, and tester group typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or mathematics. It also reports no prior related work experience and notes that additional training after employment may be needed to attain competency. Because this description covers a combined occupational group, it does not mean every tester opening requires a particular degree, credential, or level of prior experience.
For a practical job search, use the responsibilities and requirements in individual listings to guide preparation. Compare postings by location, seniority, manual and automation duties, industry, and stated education or tool requirements. National projections cannot tell you which skills a specific employer expects.
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How to judge demand in your own job search
- Search multiple titles. Try QA Analyst, Automation Tester, Software Test Engineer, and related titles from O*NET, then confirm the actual duties.
- Filter to your location and experience level. National employment projections do not show how many suitable vacancies are open where you live.
- Compare the work, not just the title. Note whether a role emphasizes manual testing, automation, or other responsibilities, and what tools or qualifications the posting names.
- Use the outlook as context. The 6% forecast indicates above-average projected growth for the occupation nationally; it cannot predict how quickly you will find a job or what a specific employer will pay.
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