software tester
Software testers perform software tests. They may also plan and design them. They may also debug and repair software although this mainly corresponds to designers and developers. They ensure that applications function properly before delivering them to internal and external clients.
software tester software testers perform software tests. They may also plan and design them. They may also debug and repair software although this mainly corresponds to designers and developers. The role shows moderate AI exposure (0.59 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include software architecture models, software anomalies, levels of software testing, software metrics, report test findings.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £56,438 a year for IT managers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £44,372 to £73,901 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 2132). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only software tester, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 2. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
- Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
- Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
- Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
- Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does software tester do?
Software testers perform software tests. They may also plan and design them. They may also debug and repair software although this mainly corresponds to designers and developers. They ensure that applications function properly before delivering them to internal and external clients.
What skills does software tester need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include software architecture models, software anomalies, levels of software testing, software metrics, report test findings, provide software testing documentation. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace software tester?
Our AI-durability model gives software tester a score of 0.59 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.