Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 775 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with more than half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 93% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
AI could do much of this on its own
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
AI could do much of this on its own
Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
AI could do much of this on its own
Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
AI could do much of this on its own
Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Computer Systems Analysts
Very similar workslightly less pay2,609 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$112,676 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Active Learning
- Administration and Management
- Systems Analysis
Computer Occupations, All Other
Very similar workslightly less pay1,270 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$120,267 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Geography
- Sales and Marketing
- Communications and Media
Software Developers
Very similar work+37% pay6,726 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 37% more—$170,831 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Critical Thinking
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Technology Design
Database Architects
Similar work+17% pay249 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 17% more—$145,311 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Computer Hardware Engineers
Somewhat similar work+35% pay142 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 35% more—$168,042 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Physics
- Design
- Mathematics
- Telecommunications
Industrial Production Managers
Somewhat similar work+6% pay457 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 6% more—$132,662 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay140 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$122,513 vs your $124,633 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Physics
- Mechanical
- Equipment Maintenance