Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers score 88 out of 100, which is very high exposure to AI. That ranks #17 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 30 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 24 on its own and 4 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 24 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

88/ 100

Very high

Rank: #17of 923 jobs
US workers: 186,740BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $104,300a year
In real AI use: 24 of 30tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 24 (80%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 4 (13%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 2 (7%)

Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create or maintain databases of known test defects.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Design or develop automated testing tools.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Conduct historical analyses of test results.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.AI can speed this up on its own · Seen in real AI use
Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Investigate customer problems referred by technical support.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Coordinate user or third-party testing.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.Little or no AI speed-up

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Questions about software quality assurance analysts and testers and AI

Will AI replace software quality assurance analysts and testers?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers score 88 out of 100 (very high exposure), #17 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 28 of the job's 30 tasks, 24 of them on its own, while 2 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which software quality assurance analysts and testers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "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".

Which software quality assurance analysts and testers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance"; "Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 24 of the 30 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as software quality assurance analysts and testers, and what do they earn?

About 186,740 people in the US, with median pay of $104,300 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Task by task

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Questions about software quality assurance analysts and testers and AI

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