Who Earns More, Software Tester Or Developer? Let’s Find Out By Comparing Salary

I recall when someone asked me, “Considering your proficiency in QTP (VBScript) programming, why did you opt for QA instead of development?” It felt like they were implying that my choice was inferior 🙂

Here are some frequently asked queries we receive at STH:

• When venturing into the IT realm, should I consider QA or development?
• Will my professional growth be the same regardless of becoming a developer or tester?
• How should I address questions regarding my choice of entering the QA field?
• Is my current role as a QA leading to wastage of my capabilities that would be beneficial in development?
• Is there lesser job stability in a QA role as compared to developers?
• If I am tasked with a QA project, should I feel reluctant, or could it be rewarding for me?

• Will I feel less valued in my position as a tester?
• Are the credits for launching a product usually favored towards developers?
• Isn’t it true that testing is for non-technical individuals?
• Would opting for testing for its less demanding nature and limited working hours be justifiable?

(Image via: e27.co)

Refer to these informative posts =>

• Career paths for Software Test Specialists
• Why is Software Testing a Demanding Job?

We are frequently asked, “Is it financially beneficial to become a QA? Are testers paid less than developers?” Let’s delve into that.

#1) Clearing the myth: Testers require just as many skills as developers. Why?

• While developers perform testing, testers write codes. This isn’t only a reference to Unit and Integration tests.
• Testing tools such as Selenium utilize the same IDE and programming languages as development, making it efficient to configure.
• There’s a growing popularity in Test Driven Development and behavior-driven development frameworks, implying developers need to accommodate perspectives of end-users and testers. Testers’ viewpoints and support are crucial in these frameworks adoption. More insights on Automation Testing Using Cucumber Tool and The Difference Between TDD and BDD can be found here.

Testing and development overlap in various scenarios.

Conclusion: The knowledge of both realms is essential.

Consequently, the fundamental competencies required by both developers and testers are:

• Understanding core functional processes
• Programming languages – Java, most popular according to the TIOBE Index for programming language popularity
• Familiarity with databases and design concepts
• Analytical and logical mindset
• Effective communication
• A collaborative approach
• Ability to manage work, manually or with tools

#2) Participation in the development life cycle

Both teams, testers and developers, play pivotal roles throughout the development life cycle. As companies are moving towards continuous integration and continuous testing, collaboration between testers and developers is indispensable. Agile methodologies illustrate this no differentiating concept where development and test teams are both components of a SCRUM.

#3) Are career opportunities the same for Testers and Developers?

Career growth varies based on individual skills, ambitions, dedication, and situations, not specifically on whether they belong to the development or testing field.

Developers can evolve into managers, business analysts, architects, or diverge into sales, research, etc., depending on their qualifications, career goals, and opportunities.

Testers have similar growth opportunities within their domain. They can become test leads, test managers, business analysts, and so forth.

Recommended reading => Identifying the Best QA Job Based on Your Skills

#4) Are developers essential while testers are optional?

Any department existing within an organization holds a purpose. There is no more tester-developer conflict prevailing within IT teams. Still, a clichéd perception persists among outsiders.

Some people have a higher regard for developers than testers, but usually, these opinions come from individuals who have limited understanding of either domain. Choosing to be a software tester should not rely on uninformed opinions.

Job volatility applies to all industries; the weakest link usually gets affected most, which doesn’t always imply that a QA role gets eliminated.

#5) Ultimately, are significantly higher salaries a reality for developers compared to testers?

If you’re seeking a basic understanding of the salary difference, the following references might be helpful:

Glassdoor:

• Software Tester Earnings
• Software Developer Earnings

Payscale:

Software Tester – Quality Assurance Earnings

Application Developer Earnings

Source: Payscale.com

Consider the many factors influencing salary structures while referring to the aforementioned links.

Unfortunately, a standardized compensation structure across all roles is lacking.

I have noted in my career span that many QAs earn higher than their developer counterparts and vice versa.

Salary is influenced by:

• Individual skills and expertise
• Professional experience
• Present salary (in cases of job transition)
• Employment type (full-time, freelance, contractual)
• Geographical location
• Organization
• Additional benefits
• Seldomly, the employee’s negotiation skills

Things to remember:

• The benefits of a job extend beyond compensation. It presents several prospects like demonstrating potential, being a part of a passionate community, and making impactful contributions. Keep an eye on the bigger picture.
• Avoid myths. Stay wary of implausible stories – like an acquaintance boasting about bagging an exceptional salary package despite lesser experience than you.
• Comparisons (between QA and developer salaries) aren’t constructive. If you find yourself overworking but underpaid, consult your manager.
• If a task is worth doing, it deserves adequate pay.
  
• According to Robin Sharma, “To escalate your income, triple your learning rate.”

Final Thoughts:

Choosing a career path ultimately relies on factors like capability, ambition, stability, contentment, and undoubtedly, compensation. Feeling competent, confident, and productive at work is crucial.

Possessing expertise in the chosen field is key to achieving these feelings. It doesn’t happen overnight but requires consistent effort and practice.

Suggested read =>> Software Developer vs Engineer

Author: Thanking Swati S., team member at STH, for her research work and enhancing our professional pride.

We eagerly await your observations, comments, queries, and diverging opinions below.