Quality Assurance Analyst: Education Requirements & Certification
Get the information you need to determine if a career as a quality assurance analyst is right for you. Read this article to find out about work responsibilities, education and training requirements, pay, and job growth.
Career Information at a Glance
Quality assurance analysts help companies operate more efficiently and effectively. They assess the current computer systems of a company and then make recommendations for improvement. Often, they adjust the organization's current system and processes, or they develop and implement a new system or process. Check out the table below for quick info on the requirements and responsibilities of quality assurance analysts.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Educational Field of Study</b> </td><td> Information technology or a similar computer related field</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Analytical skills, communication skills, and creativity</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Growth (2020-2030)*</b> </td><td> 7% (computer systems analysts)</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Mean Salary (2021)**</b> </td><td> $56,885</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoesAQualityAssuranceAnalystDo">What Does A Quality Assurance Analyst Do?</h3><p>Quality assurance analysts assess the feasibility of an organization's current computer systems and processes and then help the organization adapt and implement more effective and efficient systems and processes. Techniques such as data modeling are frequently used in this type of work to help quality assurance analysts thoroughly assess processes and data flows. The information they gather includes the amount of storage, memory, and computing power necessary to meet the needs of the computer system and organization.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheEducationalCertificationRequirements">What Are The Educational & Certification Requirements?</h3><p>Generally, a bachelor's degree in information technology or a similar computer-related field is required to work as a quality assurance analyst. However, some quality assurance analysts possess liberal arts degrees and gain the needed technical knowledge and training via on the job experience. Many quality assurance analysts pursue additional education throughout the duration of their careers to stay on top of ever-changing and evolving technologies. Others pursue additional courses in business or management, as analysts often engage heavily in the business side of organizations.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSkillsAreNeeded">What Skills Are Needed?</h3><p>Naturally, analytical skills are an essential part of a role as a quality assurance analyst because a large part of their work involves thoroughly assessing a company's current computer systems and processes and identifying viable ways for improvement. Strong communication skills would also prove to be valuable since this role often requires explaining advanced concepts to the management and IT departments that they work closely with. Additionally, critical thinking skills and creativity will assist quality assurance analysts in developing viable solutions to complex computer issues.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsThePotentialSalary">What Is The Potential Salary?</h3><p>The 2021 median annual salary of a quality assurance analyst is $56,885 according to PayScale. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most computer system analysts, including quality assurance analysts, worked full-time, with approximately 20% working more than 40 hours per week. The predominant industries these computer analysts worked in were computer systems design, finance, insurance, and management of companies and enterprises.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsTheJobOutlook">What Is the Job Outlook?</h3><p>The BLS projects a growth rate of 7% for computer systems analysts between 2020-2030. This statistic is among all computer systems analysts. Quality assurance analysts will remain in demand as more companies seek to move over to more advanced and efficient information technology systems. This role will be in high demand in the healthcare industry as many organizations in this sector begin to use electronic records and additional forms of healthcare IT. Individuals who possess an M.B.A. with a concentration in information systems have the best prospects.</p>