Guide To Software Testing Careers (Skills And Salary)

Updated 22 March 2023

Software testers identify bugs and defects in software and assist the software development team in producing correct products with minimum errors. The job of a software tester is an interesting career option for individuals who enjoy working with computers and software systems. Understanding the essential skills and responsibilities of a software tester can help you decide if this is the right career choice for you. In this article, we discuss the skills and steps for software testing careers path, learn about the duties and responsibilities of software testers and their salaries.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

Skills For Professionals With Testing Careers

Here are some essential skills for a software testing careers:

Software development

Software testers require a strong understanding of the software development process. Software departments use different methods and techniques to develop software. As an important asset to the team, strong software testers typically have a basic knowledge of how the development process operates so that they can perform their duties efficiently.

Having knowledge about the development process and programming languages helps software testers to successfully test software and identify the defects. Candidates who want to become software testers can start gaining in-depth knowledge of programming languages and related development tools. Knowledge of the software development process helps software testers to identify the defects and find effective solutions to fix them.

Knowledge of testing tools and process

The knowledge of software testing tools and processes is the essential skill to become a software tester. Software testers understand how to evaluate software and identify bugs or defects in it. They use their testing knowledge to find all bugs before the launch of the software. Software testers use two ways to conduct a testing process, which are automation and manual testing.

Gaining knowledge about these testing processes is essential for a software tester's role. Candidates can learn this skill while taking a software tester course. Many employers prefer hiring professionals who have a better understanding of software testing tools and technologies. You can learn how to use automated testing tools, agile testing tools and test management tools. Candidates can also follow technology blogs or articles and news websites to keep them aware of the latest trends in technology.

Critical thinking skills

Software testers require critical thinking to break complex software into smaller parts and identify all bugs. With critical thinking, software testers are able to think creatively and find new solutions. Software testers can improve the quality of their thinking to evaluate ideas and decide what to test. Professional software testers have effective critical thinking abilities which help them to decide the best strategy for testing. Critical thinking helps them to analyse computer processes and results. Strong testers use their skills to make deductions depending on the available information.

Communication skills

Software testers often collaborate with other professionals in the software department. Good communication skills help them share useful information with stakeholders and clients. Software testers also communicate and discuss issues with the developers.

They require written and verbal communication skills to get insights and give feedback to both technical and non-technical professionals. The software requires it to be free of all bugs and defects before its launch. This is why it is important to avoid any instance of miscommunication. With good communication skills, software testers can help in the development of error-free software.

Organisational skills

Software testers often work on several projects and prioritise which work requires the most time and effort. Organisational skills help software testers manage their duties efficiently. With organisational skills, they can finish their work on time and focus on other duties. Many testing professionals organise their work by creating a working plan and managing their time effectively.

Software testers face new challenges in their day-to-day work, such as new bugs and code updates from the development team. Candidates can develop organisational skills by learning how to prioritise tasks and manage their time effectively. Aspiring software testers can learn to prioritise tasks by evaluating their urgency, revenue and other factors.

How To Become A Software Tester?

Here are the steps to become a software tester:

1. Complete your education

While some companies hire software testers directly on the basis of their skills and experience, there are many larger organisations that recruit professionals with undergraduate degrees. The first step to becoming a software tester is pursuing a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution. Many candidates pursue an undergraduate course in specific areas such as engineering, science, computer and maths. You can pursue a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, information technology or software development.

2. Learn software testing skills

You can gain software testing knowledge and skills during your education. Aspiring software testing professionals can develop the necessary skills by taking online courses or working on different freelance software testing projects. You can expand your testing skills and gain more knowledge by working with different companies and clients. Having a basic knowledge of coding is also essential for a software tester. Candidates can attend online coding courses at local universities and colleges.

3. Earn certifications

Many employers prefer hiring software testers with various certifications. Getting certifications for software testing can help you stand out from other testing professionals. You can earn software testing certifications to advance your career in the field of software development. Some of the popular certifications for software testers are:

International software testing qualification board
Certified software tester
Certified software quality analyst
Certified quality engineer
Certified software test professional level

4. Join an entry-level job

Gaining relevant experience as a software developer is very important to becoming successful in this field. There are many ways to gain experience as a software tester. You can start working as a freelancer or join internships. Joining an entry-level position and gaining some experience can improve your resume and make it more suitable for applying to a software tester job.

The Average Salary Of A Software Tester

The average salary of a software tester is ₹34,595 per month. This salary may vary depending on a number of factors, such as experience, job location, type of organisation and educational background. Software testers with additional experience can expect an increase in their salaries. Software testers in Bengaluru, Karnataka can earn an average salary of ₹42,299 per month. In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, software testers can earn an average of ₹18,369 per month.

Common Software Testing Careers

Candidates with essential software testing skills and expertise can also pursue the following related job roles:

1. Quality Assurance Engineer

National average salary: ₹5,03,534 per year

Primary duties: The primary duty of a quality assurance engineer is to make sure products and processes meet the quality standards of the company. Software testers develop and implement quality control systems and quality standards. They also inspect various materials and equipment to meet quality specifications. Quality assurance engineers investigate and find solutions to the product issues.

2. Automation Engineer

National average salary: ₹6,58,292 per year

Primary duties: The primary duty of an automation engineer is to find ways to improve the efficiency of different computer systems. Automation engineers make improvements to the existing tools and technology to generate better results. Their job requires them to have knowledge about various tools and systems such as computers, automated testing software and programming languages.

3. Quality Assurance Manager

National average salary: ₹7,22,559 per year

Primary duties: The primary duty of quality assurance managers is to maintain quality standards for both products and employees. They analyse data to find areas for improvement and implement company quality standards. Quality assurance managers also train and motivate employees to meet the standards. They track the progress of products and employees.

4. Senior Tester

National average salary: ₹6,93,517 per year

Primary duties: Senior testers are highly qualified professionals who monitor all the testing processes. They develop and implement strategies to test and find issues in the software. Senior testers analyse the results and prepare test reports to track the progress.