Manual QA / Tester Salary and Insights for 2025

What is a Manual QA Tester?

To test software, developers will script test cases that present step-by-step instructions on what needs to be done to check that a feature works. For example, a mobile app developer will craft a test case to see what happens when the user gets a phone call or text while in their app. They’ll also need to test this across different types of devices and operating systems (OS).

Once a human plans and writes test cases, many tasks related to the testing portion of the software development process can be done and tracked with automation tools and software. However, there are still things that require human interaction and the expertise of a QA manual tester. We’ll discuss the differences in more detail over the next few sections.

QA Manual Testing vs. QA Automated Testing

The most important difference between QA manual testing and QA automated testing is who’s performing the test, and what type of test that is. There is a human component to the configuration of both tests, but the exact exploratory testing techniques and the types of tools being leveraged will vary. For certain tasks, automated testing can be exponentially less time- and labour-intensive, particularly when that testing is at any type of scale (because it is inherently repetitious). Of course, product requirements might necessitate the path a QA and development team is set to pursue.

End-to-end QA manual testing is done by someone who is a human QA manual tester or QA manual testing engineer and verifies an end-to-end flow for QA. It is also a very hands-on approach to testing as each test run is done individually. This method is extremely important when it comes to testing certain areas, especially if you likely compliance when it comes to the standards for a user, and chances are compromised when it comes to that. You can trace bugs very easily and immediately eradicate them before a release, which is why it is often used to spot and report bugs.

What does a Manual QA Tester do?

A QA manual tester checks a software for problems and bugs in every stage of development and after release. His or her task is to detect any issues that a user may have with the software and find a solution for developers.

Mainly, white box QA focuses on codes in two types of manuals. In white box testing, you are supposed to be part of the development team and know what your code should do. During a black box testing, you are outside of the system experiencing as a new user would.

Either way, you could be running a few hundreds thousands of different types of test cases while testing the software manually as a QA tester. Sometimes to check the integration of the software with others or to check its compatibility with multiple devices. Or to check what kind of experience of the end user with the software.

In short, it all means that you should be detail-oriented, notice even the smallest changes, and report your observations to your project team. We should discuss the responsibilities of QA manual tester jobs in more detail next.

QA Tester Certifications and Certificates

If you want to increase your chances of getting a job testing QA manuals, you can work towards certification by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB), an international software testing qualifications certification provider, or by becoming a Certified Software tEstEr (CSTE). ISTQB, an international software testing qualifications certification provider, offers Advanced certifications in areas that include AI or gaming for test analysts and test managers too. You can also find tech firms that offer candidates career certifications in software testing approaches.

Experience and Skills

If you want to be a QA manual tester, you should try to familiarise yourself with the software development lifecycle (SDLC), since as the name states you will be part of the SDLC.

Other critical skills that a QA manual tester should have are a good eye for detail, analytical skills, as well as ability to communicate clearly, both in writing and orally. An ability to think out of the box is also essential, as in software testing – especially QA manual, predictive testing – you’re generally looking for ways to solve problems before they can happen, testing for them, and then fixing those issues that you detect.

All these will depend on what each software developer is looking for. There are companies who would require their QA manual testers to have loads of experience. Some would accept motivated rookies. You can as well decide to begin your QA manual testing career as a freelancer.

Job Outlook

While QA manual testers and other software development jobs have more reason for optimism: employment in development and QA is projected to grow 25 per cent between 2022 and 2032. That’s faster than the average for all occupations.