How to Become a QA Tester in 2026: Skills, Salary, and Career Path

What is QA testing & What is a QA tester?

So, what does a QA tester do? A QA tester ensures the proper functioning of an application by running various manual and automated tests during the product development process. They specifically look for faults in the product, enabling developers to make timely adjustments and modifications before the product is launched.

QA testing typically occurs in cycles throughout the product development process. As a tester, your work involves multiple responsibilities. Whether you are performing manual or automated testing, you need to know how to plan, develop, and execute test cases, as well as evaluate and record test results. You also need to stay updated on new technologies, tools, and testing procedures. Close collaboration with the product and development teams, as well as other individuals involved in the QA process, is essential to ensure optimal product outcomes.

Difference between a QA tester and a software tester:

A QA tester focuses on measuring and inspecting quality, as well as improving software quality through process enhancements to guide software release. A QA tester also participates in some testing activities but gradually shifts their focus towards process reviews and product audits. Their responsibilities include:

• Monitoring the progress and steps of software development activities.
• Managing the product lifecycle and verifying whether the software meets defined quality standards and user agreements.
• The aim is not to analyze the software to find problems but to validate if the software can work under a given set of conditions. Based on the above, QA testers lean more towards service-oriented and supervisory roles.

However, a software tester, also known as a bug hunter, primarily focuses on testing software quality from a technical perspective, specifically in finding bugs. Testing methods are not limited to manual testing and may include more challenging automated testing. By analyzing test results and addressing customer requirements, they refine the testing process. As a software engineer, your job entails:

• Creating test plans, designing test data, and test cases based on software design requirements.
• Executing test cases effectively and submitting test reports.
• Accurately identifying and tracking issues, driving prompt and reasonable resolutions.
• Completing integration and system testing of the product, testing software functionality, performance, and other aspects.

How to become a QA tester: Requirements for a QA tester position

Being a QA tester requires a more creative and critical thinking ability to effectively track, troubleshoot, report defects and errors. However, becoming a professional QA tester is not an easy task. Here are a few steps you can consider in your career planning:

1. Learn relevant testing knowledge and skills

While most potential employers may prefer QA testers with a bachelor's degree in engineering or computer science, it is not always necessary. During the team selection process, team members often go through interviews and technical tests, which you need to prepare for. Familiarity with several programming languages is necessary.

Start with the most commonly used languages in applications and software tools, such as Java, C#, and Python. Other languages include C, Go, HTML, JavaScript, Ruby, and Unix scripting. You can consider taking online courses or tutorials to enhance these skills.

2. Obtain certifications and recommendations

You can choose to obtain specific certifications issued by professional associations or testing software manufacturers. They can be highly beneficial. Here are three organizations you may want to explore:

• Software Testing Certification: This certification is offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB). It provides a standardized framework for software testing knowledge and skills.
• Quality Assurance Certification: Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) offers certifications that validate your expertise in quality assurance practices and principles.
• Agile Testing Certification: Agile methodologies have become prevalent in software development, and obtaining an Agile Testing certification can demonstrate your proficiency in testing within an Agile environment.

3. Learn about testing service providers and tools

To understand how to write test cases, consider familiarizing yourself with popular frameworks such as Appium, Bamboo, Bitbucket, GitLab, Jenkins, JUnit, QMetry, Robot Framework, and Selenium.

Tools are crucial. For example, if you want to save time and effort in testing for efficient localization quality assurance, you can rely on reputable service providers like WeTest LQA. They offer efficient and high-quality services to ensure your product complies with regulations and achieves high-quality localization.

4. Continuously learn and improve

Learning has no end. The world of information technology is ever-changing, and staying updated with new knowledge is crucial to keep pace with the industry. Besides technical skills, it's important to develop soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and presentation abilities to achieve greater success.