Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Examining information carefully, recognizing patterns, and using evidence to reach sound conclusions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree. PayThe median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025.The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $104,300 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 106,100 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025.The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $104,300 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 106,100 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 106,100 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Software developers design computer applications or programs. Software quality assurance analysts and testers identify problems with applications or programs and report defects.
Work Environment
Many software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work in computer systems design and related services, in manufacturing, or for software publishers. They often work in offices and on teams with other software developers or quality assurance analysts and testers.
How to Become a Software Developer, Quality Assurance Analyst, or Tester
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $104,300 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 106,100 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Many software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers work in computer systems design and related services, in manufacturing, or for software publishers. They often work in offices and on teams with other software developers or quality assurance analysts and testers.
How to Become a Software Developer, Quality Assurance Analyst, or Tester
Software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field. Some employers prefer to hire developers who have a master’s degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for software developers was $135,980 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for software quality assurance analysts and testers was $104,300 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 106,100 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.