# Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

> Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

- **SOC code:** 15-1253.00
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1253-00
- **Also known as:** Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer), Software Quality Engineer, Software Test Engineer, Automation Tester, Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst), Quality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer), Quality Engineer
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
- Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
- Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
- Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
- Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
- Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.
- Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
- Create or maintain databases of known test defects.
- Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.
- Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.
- Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Computers and Electronics _(knowledge)_
- Reading Comprehension _(essential_skill)_
- Oral Comprehension _(ability)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_
- Oral Expression _(ability)_
- Problem Sensitivity _(ability)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(ability)_
- Active Listening _(essential_skill)_
- Speaking _(essential_skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(essential_skill)_
- Written Expression _(ability)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Reading Comprehension _(Common Skill)_
- Inductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- English Language _(Common Skill)_
- Writing _(Common Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Microsoft Excel _(Common Skill)_
- Linux _(Specialized Skill)_
- Github _(Specialized Skill)_
- Complex Problem Solving _(Common Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Amazon Web Services AWS software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Atlassian JIRA _(hot technology, in demand)_
- C# _(hot technology, in demand)_
- C++ _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Git _(hot technology, in demand)_
- GitHub _(hot technology, in demand)_
- JavaScript _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Jenkins CI _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Linux _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Azure software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Excel _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Office software _(hot technology, in demand)_

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 95th percentile (High) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 85th percentile (High) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 94th percentile (High) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** 10.0% growth (Growing fast); 14k annual openings; 201.7k → 221.9k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $102,610; 199,800 employed.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Anthropic Economic Index** (v4 (2026-01-15) + v2 (2025-03-27)) — Anthropic. https://www.anthropic.com/economic-index
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-15-1253-00_