Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer Salary In India

The realm of Quality Assurance (QA) Engineering has burgeoned into an indispensable facet of the tech industry, ensuring that products and services meet established standards of quality before reaching the consumer. In India, the demand for skilled QA Engineers has escalated in tandem with the country’s burgeoning IT sector, making it a promising career path for many.

Average Salary of a QA Engineer in India in 2024

The salary of a Quality Assurance Engineer in India varies widely depending on factors such as experience, location, skill set, and the employer. As of 2024, the average annual salary for a QA Engineer in India is estimated to be around INR 5,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 for professionals with moderate experience. Entry-level positions may start lower, while seasoned professionals can command much higher salaries, especially in leading tech companies or specialized domains.

Job Role and Career Opportunities

QA Engineers are tasked with the critical role of ensuring that software, products, or services meet certain thresholds of quality. This includes testing, identifying bugs or defects, and ensuring that the end product adheres to the specified requirements and standards. Career opportunities for QA Engineers are vast and varied, ranging from traditional IT companies to startups, e-commerce, telecommunications, and even healthcare IT. With the right mix of skills, QA Engineers can advance to roles like QA Lead, QA Manager, or even into project management and consultancy.

Experience-wise Salary Trends

Experience Level Average Annual Salary (INR)

Entry-Level (0-2 years) 3,00,000 – 5,00,000

Mid-Level (3-5 years) 6,00,000 – 9,00,000

Senior-Level (6+ years) 10,00,000 – 20,00,000+

QA Engineer Salary Compensation

Compensation Component	Amount (INR)
Base Salary	₹206k – ₹1m
Bonus	₹10k – ₹127k
Profit Sharing	₹2k – ₹206k
Total Pay	₹217k – ₹1m

Base Salary:

This is the fixed income before any bonuses or profit sharing, and it ranges from ₹206,000 to ₹1,000,000 per year.

Bonus:

QA Engineers may receive additional compensation through bonuses, which can range from ₹10,000 to ₹127,000 annually​

Profit Sharing:

Some companies offer profit-sharing schemes to employees, including QA Engineers. This component can add anywhere from ₹2,000 to ₹206,000 to the total compensation​.

Total Pay:

When combining all these components, the total annual compensation for QA Engineers in India can range from ₹217,000 at the lower end to ₹1,000,000 at the upper end​.

Top Companies for QA Engineers

For QA Engineers in India looking for top employers, there are several leading companies known for their excellence in quality assurance and testing services. These companies span a range of industries, including IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and more, providing a broad spectrum of opportunities for professionals in the field. Here’s a summary of some top companies:

1. Cigniti: Renowned globally as a leading QA testing services provider, Cigniti leverages AI in DevOps and Agile to propel digital transformations across various sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing​.

2. TestingXperts: Based in the UK, TestingXperts offers a wide array of testing services including digital, IoT, automation, security, and cloud testing, tailored to meet client requirements and budgets​

3. QA InfoTech: Located in Noida, India, QA InfoTech excels in automation testing and QA services, offering effective solutions with custom-built automation test frameworks​

4. QualiTlabs: With headquarters in Hyderabad, India, QualiTlabs provides comprehensive testing services including globalization, cross-browser, continuous, and ERP testing, ensuring a top-notch digital experience across platforms​

5. Infosys: As one of India’s largest IT companies, Infosys delivers a wide range of services including agile, SAP, cybersecurity, and cloud testing, among others​

6. Hexaware: Located in Navi Mumbai, Hexaware specializes in autonomous and managed testing, data-centric testing, test automation, application security assurance, and more, offering digital solutions and services​

7. ISHIR: ISHIR offers a full spectrum of software testing and QA services, adhering to industry standards and QA processes to maximize the quality, performance, and availability of software applications​

8. Testbytes: A major QA company based in Pune, Testbytes is known for its expertise in app testing for both Android and iOS, web app quality assurance, and automation testing​

9. Resourcology: Focused on the SDLC concept, Resourcology covers a broad range of testing including ERP, CRM, SAP, web, and mobile applications, aiming to deliver error-free services​

10. CresTech: With over 300 consultants across various locations including Noida, Gurugram, and Bangalore, CresTech is a leader in software testing, offering services like test optimization, application performance and security, test automation, and mobile testing​.

Responsibilities of a QA Engineer

QA Engineers play a crucial role in the software development lifecycle, ensuring that products meet the highest quality standards. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from the initial stages of planning to the final stages of deployment and maintenance. Here’s an overview of their key responsibilities:

1. Review Requirements: They begin by reviewing requirements, specifications, and technical design documents to provide timely and meaningful feedback, ensuring that all software features are testable and aligned with quality standards​.

2. Test Planning and Development: QA Engineers are responsible for creating detailed, comprehensive, and well-structured test plans and test cases. This involves identifying the scope of testing, the methodologies to be used, and the resources required​.

3. Test Execution and Automation: They execute these test plans and also design, develop, and execute automation scripts using open source tools. This helps in increasing efficiency and coverage of the testing process​.

4. Bug Tracking: Identifying, recording, documenting thoroughly, and tracking bugs are key aspects of their role. They perform thorough regression testing when bugs are resolved to ensure that fixes are effective​.

5. Collaboration and Communication: Liaising with internal teams like developers and product managers is essential to understand system requirements and resolve issues. They also monitor debugging process results and investigate the causes of non-conforming software​.

6. Quality Metrics: QA Engineers track quality assurance metrics like defect densities and open defect counts to measure the effectiveness of the testing processes and to identify areas for improvement​.

7. Continuous Learning: They are expected to stay up-to-date with new testing tools and strategies to maintain the effectiveness of the testing process and to address the evolving challenges in software quality assurance​.

In addition to these responsibilities, QA Engineers also need to have a range of technical skills, including knowledge of programming languages, software testing tools, and experience with version control systems. They should also possess soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking to collaborate effectively with team members and solve issues​.

Eligibility Criteria for QA Engineers

Typically, QA Engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, software engineering, or related fields. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C#), and a deep understanding of software development and test methodologies are crucial. Certifications like ISTQB can also enhance a candidate’s eligibility.

How to Become a QA Engineer

1. Acquire a Relevant Degree: Start with a bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or a related field.
2. Gain Technical Skills: Learn programming languages, automation tools, and testing frameworks.
3. Understand Testing Methodologies: Get familiar with various testing techniques and methodologies, such as Agile and DevOps.
4. Pursue Internships: Gain practical experience through internships or project work.
5. Certifications and Continuous Learning: Consider obtaining certifications like ISTQB and stay updated with the latest QA trends and technologies.
6. Build Your Network: Connect with professionals in the field through networking and professional platforms.

Types of QA Engineers

1. Manual QA Engineers: These professionals manually test the software for defects or bugs. They simulate user behavior to ensure that all features work as intended and document any issues they find. This role requires a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of user experience.

2. Automation QA Engineers: Automation QA Engineers specialize in writing scripts and using software tools to automate the testing process. This approach is efficient for repetitive tasks and helps in covering a larger area of the product in a shorter time. Knowledge in coding and scripting languages is essential for this role.

3. Performance QA Engineers: They focus on testing the performance and reliability of software. This includes assessing load time, responsiveness, and stability under various conditions. Performance QA Engineers use specialized tools to simulate high traffic and monitor how the software behaves.

4. Security QA Engineers: These QA Engineers are specialized in identifying vulnerabilities and security threats within software. They use various techniques, including penetration testing and code analysis, to ensure that the software is secure from potential attacks.

5. Usability QA Engineers: Usability QA Engineers assess how user-friendly and intuitive the software is for end-users. They focus on the user interface and overall user experience, ensuring that the software is accessible and easy to navigate.

6. Mobile QA Engineers: With the increasing reliance on mobile devices, Mobile QA Engineers specialize in testing software applications on various mobile platforms like iOS and Android. They consider device-specific features and the wide array of mobile devices to ensure compatibility and functionality.

7. API QA Engineers: These professionals focus on testing Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to ensure that they meet functionality, reliability, performance, and security standards. They use tools and scripts to send requests to APIs and analyze responses.

8. Localization QA Engineers: They are responsible for ensuring that the software is appropriately adapted for different regions, including language translation, cultural nuances, and local regulations. Localization QA Engineers ensure that the software provides a seamless experience for users worldwide.

Top Colleges for a Career in QA Engineering in India

According to the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rankings, top institutions in India offering courses relevant for aspiring QA Engineers include:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), various locations

National Institute of Technology (NIT), various locations

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani

Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), various locations

Anna University, Chennai

Conclusion

The role of a Quality Assurance Engineer is critical in the software development lifecycle, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products. With the digital transformation sweeping across industries, the demand for proficient QA Engineers in India is on the rise. Armed with the right education, skills, and mindset, QA Engineers can look forward to a rewarding career with diverse opportunities for growth and specialization.

Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer Salary-FAQs

Do QA Engineers need to know programming?

Yes, knowing at least one programming language is often necessary, especially for automation testing.

Can a QA Engineer transition to a development role?

Absolutely. Many QA Engineers acquire skills that are transferable to development roles, especially if they have a strong understanding of software design and programming.

What is the difference between QA and QC (Quality Control)?

QA focuses on preventing defects through the implementation of processes and standards, while QC involves identifying defects in the final product.

Is certification necessary to become a QA Engineer?

While not mandatory, certifications like ISTQB can demonstrate a professional level of competency and knowledge in QA methodologies.