Will AI replace software quality assurance analysts and testers?

Some tasks are already being done by AI or machines; the rest still needs a person. About 3h 26m of a typical shift is made up of tasks that AI or robots have done on their own in real use somewhere. That doesn't mean those hours are automated in a typical workplace. The other 4h 34m (57%) stays with people. Separately, BLS expects about 5.7% more of these jobs by 2035 (all jobs: +3.5%).

AI shows up regularly in 12 of 30 tasks, about 3h 26m of a typical shift. The biggest ones:

• Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. (44m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers. (37m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Update automated test scripts to ensure currency. (25m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality. (19m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)
• Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes. (19m a shift, AI mostly does it alone)

4h 34m of a typical shift, or 57%, goes to tasks with no AI or robot evidence yet. No AI usage or robot deployment has shown up for these so far. The biggest:

• Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content. (1h 2m a shift)
• Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability. (37m a shift)
• Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures. (37m a shift)
• Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards. (19m a shift)
• Install, maintain, or use software testing programs. (12m a shift)

Much of it comes down to where and how the work happens. In-person, hands-on and high-stakes work is where AI and robots have made the least headway so far. In the official O*NET survey of people in this job:

• 75% talk face to face with others every day

We track 1 sourced company move that affects this job. Most recent:

• Mar 5, 2026: Pricer uses AI test agents after QA team shrinks from 8 to 2 (Rolling out)

For the 9 tasks in this job where AI shows up and timing data exists, a typical request takes about 4h 54m for a person alone and about 38m with AI. These are Claude's own estimates from real conversations in April and May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index). They describe single requests, not whole workdays, and time saved on a task doesn't mean jobs are cut. The biggest gaps:

• Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements (about 7h 17m alone, 40m with AI)
• Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality (about 6h 40m alone, 59m with AI)
• Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers (about 6h 7m alone, 34m with AI)

On Indeed, job postings in the Software Development sector are at 78% of their February 2020 level (all U.S. postings: 104%), up 21.5% from a year earlier, as of Oct 9, 2026. BLS separately expects about 11,000 openings a year in this job through 2035. Across all U.S. postings, 7.3% now mention AI skills. Sector postings cover more than this one job and move for many reasons besides AI.

The median pay is about $104,300 a year ($50.14 an hour), 105% above the median for all U.S. jobs ($50,980). Most people in this job earn between $61,440 and $167,010 a year; that range covers the middle 80%. Pay figures are from BLS, May 2025, and vary a lot by state and employer. Pick a state to compare:

BLS projects growth of 5.7% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all jobs. That's about 198,000 jobs in 2035. It expects about 11,000 openings a year, mostly from people retiring or changing careers. These projections don't single out AI as a cause.

About 187,000 people in the U.S., roughly 0.12% of all workers (BLS, May 2025). That makes it the 179th largest of the 796 jobs on this site. BLS expects about 198,000 in 2035.

The most common requirement is a bachelor's degree: about 50% of people in the job said so in the official O*NET survey. O*NET rates the job at level 4 of 5 for preparation, which usually means: bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by state and employer, especially for licensed work.

These come from the job's official skill ratings and from the tasks that AI and robots touch least today. Building them keeps you strong in the parts of the work that still need a person:

• Skills that matter more here than in most jobs: Programming, Operations Analysis, Quality Control Analysis, Systems Evaluation
• Get strong at the parts of the job that stay with people (listed above), which take 4h 34m of a typical shift
• Tools employers list: Structured query language SQL, Selenium, Python, Oracle Java, Microsoft Office software
• Learn to use AI well on the tasks where it already shows up in this job (listed above)

These use similar skills, with less of a typical shift touched by AI or robots. Matches come from 109 official ratings of skills, knowledge and work activities, and each needs the same or less preparation unless the official list relates the jobs directly:

• Information Security Engineers (17m touched, $117k median pay)
• Clinical Data Managers (2h 18m touched, $120k median pay)

Each task carries its own evidence label. For this job: 12 observed in real AI use, 18 with no AI or robot evidence found. The minutes per task are estimates, not measured hours, and "no evidence" doesn't prove a task is safe.