How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do software quality assurance analysts and testers make?

The US median is $104,300 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

2,087 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Software quality assurance analysts and testers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Computers & IT · SOC 15-1253

$104,300US median pay, 2025

+5.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

10,700Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work in: software quality assurance analysts and testers

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Computer Science	CIP 11.0701	951
Computer and Information Sciences, General	CIP 11.0101	866
Information Technology	CIP 11.0103	629
Computer Programming/Programmer, General	CIP 11.0201	379
Computer Engineering, General	CIP 14.0901	294
Computer Programming, Specific Applications	CIP 11.0202	136
Computer Software Engineering	CIP 14.0903	131
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician	CIP 15.1201	91
Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst	CIP 11.0501	89
Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician	CIP 15.1202	77
Informatics	CIP 11.0104	64
Computer Game Programming	CIP 11.0204	21
Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification	CIP 11.0203	19
Computer Software Technology/Technician	CIP 15.1204	18
Computer Programming, Specific Platforms	CIP 11.0205	3

See the 2,087 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do software quality assurance analysts and testers make?: The US median is $104,300 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 2,087 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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