What Is a QA Analyst? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

QA analysts handle the quality control step of the software development lifecycle. They test new and existing software to catch bugs and make improvements. Here’s what to know about a QA analyst’s needed skills, salary and how to become one.

What Is a QA Analyst?

A QA analyst applies a combination of programming expertise, data analysis and research experience to software testing. The job involves detecting, reporting and creating databases of bugs to be fixed so that software products work correctly.

What Do QA Analysts Do?

A QA analyst’s duties include testing software, fixing bugs and reporting their findings. They must develop and manage databases of known bugs and use that tracking system to make recommendations for ways to avoid similar mistakes in future products.

QA Analyst Responsibilities

• Test software to identify and fix bugs.
• Document and report bugs to software development teams.
• Compile databases of reports and software issues.
• Conduct research and prepare testing plans.
• Make recommendations for product improvements.

QA Analysts Within a Company

QA analysts work within quality assurance teams, which also include QA testers and engineers. They collaborate closely with other teams involved in the software development process.

Importance of QA Analysts

QA analysts identify software issues that need to be corrected, but also make suggestions to prevent bugs in future software products. In doing so, they help the software development process become more efficient.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a QA Analyst?

Qualifications to Be a QA Analyst

• Software and coding knowledge.
• Data analysis and research experience.
• Understanding of how to organize datasets using Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Familiarity with types of software testing.
• Ability to use necessary tools.

QA Analyst Prerequisites

• A bachelor’s degree in a field like computer science or data science.
• Bootcamps and courses can enhance necessary coding and programming knowledge.

QA Analyst Hard Skills

• Knowledge of coding languages like Java, C++ and HTML.
• Conducting different types of testing and understanding the differences between them.
• Experience identifying, logging and troubleshooting software defects.
• Research capabilities.
• Experience with relevant tools and software.
• Compiling databases and working with SQL.

QA Analyst Soft Skills

• Problem solving mindset.
• Communication and collaboration across teams.
• Attention to detail.

Tools and Programs QA Analysts Use

• Kobiton
• Testim
• Selenium
• TestRail
• XRay
• Testpad

How to Become a QA Analyst

QA Analyst Education and Experience

A QA analyst typically holds a four-year degree in a field like computer science or a related area of study. Because they need knowledge of coding and programming, QA analysts can also benefit from bootcamps and courses to hone their skillsets. The QA analyst role is an entry-level position, but it can be helpful to have at least a year of experience gained through an internship or working as a QA tester.

QA Analyst Certificates and Courses

• Certified Software Quality Analyst
• Certified Associate in Software Testing
• International Software Testing Qualifications Board certifications

QA Analyst Career Path

Aspiring QA analysts may begin their careers gaining experience in an internship or as a QA tester. As they advance in their career, a QA analyst can move up into a team coordinator or management position.

QA Analyst Salary and Job Outlook

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor shows employment for software quality assurance analysts and testers is expected to grow by 21 percent from 2021 through 2031. That’s just over four times the growth projected for occupations overall.

The full compensation package for a QA analyst depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average QA analyst salary.