Jobs Similar to Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Also called: Software Quality Assurance Testers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to software quality assurance analysts and testers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Software Developers, Computer Programmers and Web Developers.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: $104,300 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Software DevelopersSame group | 84% | $135,980+30% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Computer ProgrammersSame group | 82% | $100,390−4% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Web DevelopersSame group | 81% | $92,650−11% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Information Security EngineersSame group | 81% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Database AdministratorsSame group | 81% | $104,6200% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Data Warehousing SpecialistsSame group | 81% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Computer Systems AnalystsSame group | 80% | $105,850+1% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsSame group | 80% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 9 | Computer Network ArchitectsSame group | 79% | $134,050+29% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Blockchain EngineersSame group | 79% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Penetration TestersSame group | 79% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Database ArchitectsSame group | 79% | $139,500+34% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and TechniciansSame group | 79% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Information Security AnalystsSame group | 78% | $129,180+24% | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsSame group | 78% | $140,300+35% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Web AdministratorsSame group | 78% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists | 76% | $130,220Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Computer Hardware Engineers | 76% | $161,740+55% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Statisticians | 74% | $105,650+1% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Bioinformatics Technicians | 74% | $81,490Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
- 1Software Developers
84% similar · $135,980 (+30%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 2Computer Programmers
82% similar · $100,390 (−4%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Web Developers
81% similar · $92,650 (−11%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Information Security Engineers
81% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 5Database Administrators
81% similar · $104,620 (0%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 6Data Warehousing Specialists
81% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Computer Systems Analysts
80% similar · $105,850 (+1%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 8Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
80% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Training or associate · Same group
- 9Computer Network Architects
79% similar · $134,050 (+29%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 10Blockchain Engineers
79% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 11Penetration Testers
79% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 12Database Architects
79% similar · $139,500 (+34%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
79% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 14Information Security Analysts
78% similar · $129,180 (+24%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 15Computer and Information Research Scientists
78% similar · $140,300 (+35%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Web Administrators
78% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists
76% similar · $130,220 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Computer Hardware Engineers
76% similar · $161,740 (+55%) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Statisticians
74% similar · $105,650 (+1%) · Graduate degree
- 20Bioinformatics Technicians
74% similar · $81,490 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than software quality assurance analysts and testers.
- Computer Hardware Engineers76% similar · $161,740 (+55%)
- Database Architects79% similar · $139,500 (+34%)
- Software Developers84% similar · $135,980 (+30%)
- Computer Network Architects79% similar · $134,050 (+29%)
- Information Security Analysts78% similar · $129,180 (+24%)
- Computer Systems Analysts80% similar · $105,850 (+1%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for software quality assurance analysts and testers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former software quality assurance analysts and testers →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where software quality assurance analysts and testers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Validation Engineers (81)
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists (76)
- Bioinformatics Technicians (74)
- Operations Research Analysts (73)
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (72)
- Data Scientists (72)
- Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists (72)
- Mechanical Engineers (67)
- Mechatronics Engineers (67)
- Computer Hardware Engineers (65)
Questions about jobs like software quality assurance analysts and testers
What jobs are most similar to software quality assurance analysts and testers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Software Developers (84% similar), Computer Programmers (82% similar), Web Developers (81% similar), Information Security Engineers (81% similar) and Database Administrators (81% similar).
Which jobs like software quality assurance analysts and testers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Computer Hardware Engineers ($161,740, +55%; usually a bachelor's degree), Computer and Information Research Scientists ($140,300, +35%; usually a graduate degree) and Database Architects ($139,500, +34%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with software quality assurance analysts and testers ($104,300). Without more preparation than software quality assurance analysts and testers usually need: Computer Hardware Engineers, Database Architects and Software Developers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.