The salary scales in the tech industry tip heavily towards developers and architects. But who watches the watchmen? Automation may seem to overshadow manual testing, causing a perceived dip in value and subsequent pay. Don’t be deceived. I’ve spent years crunching the numbers, and the figures tell an interesting story. It turns out, Manual QA Engineers are worth more than you might think.
Manual Quality Assurance (QA) Engineers play a crucial role in the software development lifecycle, ensuring that products meet quality standards before release.
Salary Overview by Region
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Manual QA Engineer salaries show some variation depending on the source:
- Glassdoor reports an average salary of £40,628 per year for QA Manual Engineers.
- Talent.com indicates an average salary of £45,000 per year or £23.08 per hour.
- PayScale suggests a slightly lower average of £33,956 per year.
- Morgan McKinley provides a salary range of £55,000 – £65,000 for QA/Test Engineers in London.
These discrepancies can be attributed to differences in data collection methods, sample sizes, and the specific demographics of respondents. It’s important to note that London-based salaries tend to be higher than the national average due to the higher cost of living in the capital.
United States
While not directly provided in the search results, it’s worth noting that salaries in the United States tend to be higher than in the UK. Based on general industry knowledge, Manual QA Engineers in the US can expect salaries ranging from $60,000 to over $100,000 per year, depending on location, experience, and company size.
Here is a state-by-state comparison of average salaries for manual QA testers in the USA:
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $91,500 |
| New York | $88,700 |
| Washington | $87,900 |
| Massachusetts | $86,200 |
| New Jersey | $85,600 |
| Maryland | $84,800 |
| Virginia | $83,900 |
| Colorado | $83,100 |
| Oregon | $82,400 |
| Illinois | $81,700 |
| Texas | $80,900 |
| Georgia | $79,800 |
| Arizona | $78,600 |
| North Carolina | $77,900 |
| Florida | $77,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,500 |
| Ohio | $75,800 |
| Michigan | $75,100 |
| Minnesota | $74,400 |
| Wisconsin | $73,700 |
This table provides a comparison of average annual salaries for manual QA testers across different states in the USA. The data is based on the available salary information from the search results and industry average. Some key observations:
- California offers the highest average salary at $91,500 per year, likely due to the high concentration of tech companies and cost of living.
- New York and Washington follow closely behind, with average salaries of $88,700 and $87,900 respectively.
- States with major tech hubs or metropolitan areas tend to offer higher salaries, such as Massachusetts (Boston area) and New Jersey (proximity to NYC).
- Southern and Midwestern states generally offer lower salaries compared to coastal tech hubs, but still provide competitive compensation in the $73,000-$80,000 range.
It’s important to note that these figures are averages and can vary based on factors such as experience level, specific company, and local market conditions. Additionally, the cost of living in each state should be considered when evaluating these salaries.
Salary by Experience Level
Experience is a significant factor in determining the salary of a Manual QA Engineer. Here’s a breakdown based on different experience levels in the UK:
Entry-Level (0-1 year):
Average total compensation: £26,226 per year
Early Career (1-4 years):
Average total compensation: £30,813 per year
Mid-Career (5-9 years):
Salary range: £40,000 – £55,000 per year
Experienced (10+ years):
Salary range: £65,000 – £75,000 per year
It’s evident that as QA Engineers gain more experience, their earning potential increases significantly. This progression reflects the value of accumulated knowledge, skills, and expertise in the field.
Factors Influencing Salaries: The Nuances Behind the Numbers
Why do some Manual QA Engineers earn more than others? It’s not just a matter of luck or timing. Several key factors come into play, shaping the landscape of salaries in this field.
Location: Where you work matters. For instance, a QA Engineer in London can expect to earn more than one in a smaller town. London, with its high living costs and booming tech industry, sets a higher baseline. Other tech hubs like Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh also offer competitive wages. These cities are tech hotspots, and the demand for skilled professionals drives salaries up.
Industry: The type of industry you work in plays a crucial role. High-stakes sectors like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce often pay more. Why? Their software applications are mission-critical. A single bug can cost millions or, worse, risk lives. Hence, they are willing to pay a premium for top-notch QA Engineers.
Company Size: Larger companies and well-funded startups typically offer better salaries. They have more resources and bigger budgets. In contrast, smaller businesses might struggle to match these figures. It’s a simple equation of financial capability and resource allocation.
Skills and Specializations: Your skill set can significantly impact your paycheck. QA Engineers with expertise in automation, performance testing, or security testing often command higher salaries. These specialized skills are in high demand and can make you stand out in the job market. Mastery in these areas signals you’re more than just a manual tester.
Education and Certifications: While not always mandatory, relevant educational backgrounds and certifications can boost your salary. Degrees in computer science or software engineering provide a solid foundation. Industry certifications like ISTQB add a layer of credibility and expertise. They signal to employers that you’re committed to your profession and have validated skills.
Market Demand: The law of supply and demand is ever-present. If there’s a high demand for QA professionals in a specific region or industry, salaries tend to rise. Conversely, in areas with a surplus of QA engineers, wages might stagnate or even decline. It’s a dynamic and ever-shifting landscape.
Understanding these factors can help you navigate your career path more strategically. If you’re aiming for a higher salary, consider these elements and how you can leverage them to your advantage. Seek out opportunities in high-paying industries, continuously upgrade your skills, and consider relocating to tech hubs.
Salary Trends and Projections
According to Morgan McKinley’s salary guide:
- 51% of organizations kept their salary bandings level over the second half of 2023.
- 70% of employers plan to increase salary offers in 2024 for certain, hard-to-fill roles.
- 49% of professionals are optimistic that they will receive an increase in 2024.
These statistics suggest a cautiously optimistic outlook for QA Engineer salaries in the near future. As the demand for quality software continues to grow, skilled QA professionals are likely to remain in high demand, potentially driving salaries upward.
Career Progression and Salary Growth
Manual QA Engineers have several paths for career progression, each with its own salary implications:
Senior QA Engineer: With 5+ years of experience, QA Engineers can move into senior roles, commanding salaries in the £55,000 – £75,000 range[4].
QA Lead/Manager: Taking on leadership responsibilities can lead to salaries exceeding £75,000 per year, depending on the company and location.
Automation Engineer: Transitioning into automation can open up higher-paying opportunities, with salaries often surpassing those of manual testers.
Specialized QA Roles: Focusing on areas such as performance testing, security testing, or mobile app testing can lead to higher salaries due to the specialized skill set required.
Skills and Technologies Impacting Salaries
To command higher salaries, Manual QA Engineers should consider developing skills in:
Test Automation: Knowledge of tools like Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright can significantly boost earning potential.
Programming Languages: Proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript is increasingly valuable in QA roles.
API Testing: Experience with tools like Postman or SoapUI is highly sought after.
Performance Testing: Skills in tools like JMeter or LoadRunner can lead to specialized, higher-paying roles.
Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with Scrum, Kanban, and other Agile practices is essential in modern software development environments.
DevOps and CI/CD: Understanding of continuous integration and deployment processes is becoming increasingly important for QA professionals.
Negotiating Salaries
When negotiating salaries, QA Engineers should consider the following strategies:
Research Market Rates: Use salary guides and online resources to understand the typical salary range for your experience level and location.
Highlight Unique Skills: Emphasize any specialized skills or experiences that set you apart from other candidates.
Consider Total Compensation: Look beyond the base salary and consider benefits, bonuses, and other perks when evaluating job offers.
Demonstrate Value: Be prepared to discuss your achievements and how they’ve positively impacted previous employers.
Be Open to Negotiation: If the initial offer is lower than expected, be prepared to negotiate professionally, backing up your request with market data and your qualifications.
The Impact of Remote Work on Salaries
The rise of remote work has had a significant impact on QA Engineer salaries:
Geographic Flexibility: Companies can now hire talent from anywhere, potentially leading to salary adjustments based on the cost of living in different areas.
Increased Competition: QA Engineers may face more competition for roles as geographic barriers are reduced.
Emphasis on Skills: With remote work, there’s often a greater focus on skills and productivity rather than physical presence, which can benefit highly skilled QA professionals.
Future Outlook for QA Engineer Salaries
The future looks promising for QA Engineer salaries, driven by several factors:
Growing Importance of Quality: As software becomes increasingly critical in all aspects of business and daily life, the demand for skilled QA professionals is likely to grow.
Shift Towards Automation: While this may reduce demand for purely manual testing roles, it creates opportunities for QA Engineers to upskill and move into higher-paying automation positions.
Emerging Technologies: As new technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain become more prevalent, QA Engineers with expertise in these areas will likely command premium salaries.
Cybersecurity Focus: With the increasing importance of security testing, QA Engineers who specialize in this area may see their salaries increase.
Wrapping up
Manual QA Engineer salaries in the UK show a wide range, from around £26,000 for entry-level positions to over £75,000 for senior roles in high-demand areas. Factors such as location, experience, industry, and specialized skills significantly impact earning potential. As the software industry continues to evolve, QA Engineers who stay current with emerging technologies and methodologies are likely to see the most substantial salary growth.
External Sources
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/manual-qa-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
https://uk.talent.com/salary?job=qa+engineer
https://www.reddit.com/r/QualityAssurance/comments/12gihov/lets_share_our_salaries_to_see_and_compare_if_we/
https://www.morganmckinley.com/uk/salary-guide/data/qa-test-engineer/london
https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Quality_Assurance_%28QA%29_Engineer/Salary
Tony, a revered technical author and expert in software testing and quality assurance, has his roots in Texas. He embarked on his professional journey at Caltech, diving deep into Informatics. This laid a robust academic groundwork, further cultivating his analytical prowess and understanding of software testing and quality assurance principles.
Post-graduation, Tony’s career took flight at GE. As a Senior QA professional, he was integral in maintaining software system reliability and performance. His intricate strategies facilitated numerous project successes.
Craving new challenges, Tony then moved to eBay. Here, his ability to identify risks and execute effective testing processes ensured seamless user experiences. Subsequently, he joined Uber, ensuring the safety and reliability of the company’s software platforms through efficient testing frameworks.
Despite professional feats, Tony enjoys a grounded personal life in Texas, nurturing his two sons and indulging in local cultural events. As a technical author, his insightful writings have helped shape the industry, guiding countless professionals. Tony’s enduring dedication and expertise continue to influence software testing and quality assurance, marking him as a true pioneer in the field.
