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Career path · United Kingdom

QA Tester: career path and pay in the UK

Where a QA Tester goes next, what each step typically pays in the United Kingdom, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 3 steps, from QA Tester to Senior QA Tester / QA Engineer.

Also for the United States: QA Tester in the US

The path

Step 1 · 0 to 2 years

QA Tester

High · 76%

£20K to £30K

Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.

What this step adds

Manual testingTest case executionBug reportingTest documentationBasic tools

Credentials that help: ISTQB Foundation Level - Global, Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) - Global, BCS Foundation Certificate (optional) - UK/EU.

Step 2 · 2 to 5 years

QA Tester / Test Analyst

High · 76%

£30K to £45K

Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.

What this step adds

Test designTest automation basicsAPI testingRegression testingTest planning

Credentials that help: ISTQB Advanced Level - Global, BCS Practitioner Certificate - UK/EU.

Step 3 · 5 to 10 years

Senior QA Tester / QA Engineer

Moderate · 52%

£35K to £55K

Typical UK pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.

What this step adds

Test automationTest strategyQuality assuranceProcess improvementMentoring

Credentials that help: ISTQB Expert Level - Global, BCS Advanced Certificate - UK/EU.

Exposure and pay along the path

Exposure to AI, now to later

76% → 52%

Falls 24 points. Each step is harder to automate than the last. Lower is better.

Typical pay, now to later

£20K to £30K → £35K to £55K

UK estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK.

What the work involves

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

Skills that matter most

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing
  • Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Education and Training

Education people bring

  • Bachelor's Degree: 50%
  • Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree: 27%
  • Some College Courses: 9%

Job Zone 4, job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Other paths from here

More Technology paths in the UK

Related occupations in O*NET: Software Developers, Validation Engineers, Computer Systems Engineers/Architects, Penetration Testers, Computer Systems Analysts.

Your own role

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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale UK, UK national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0

Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor UK, Indeed UK and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to £5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.