How long does it take to become a QA Engineer?

With consistent practice (3-4 hours daily), you can become job-ready in 3-5 months for manual testing roles. Add 2-3 more months to learn automation testing. Becoming a senior QA engineer with expertise in multiple testing types takes 3-5 years of professional experience.

Do I need programming skills to become a QA Engineer?

For manual testing roles, programming is not strictly required. However, for automation testing roles (which pay more), you need programming skills in Python, JavaScript, or Java. We recommend learning programming early as automation skills are increasingly expected.

Which automation tool should I learn first?

Start with Selenium WebDriver - it is the industry standard and most requested in job postings. Once comfortable, learn modern tools like Cypress or Playwright. Cypress is easier to learn and great for JavaScript-based projects. Playwright is newer but powerful for cross-browser testing.

Manual Testing vs Automation Testing - which is better?

Both are valuable and complementary. Manual testing is essential for exploratory testing, usability, and ad-hoc scenarios. Automation is better for repetitive tests, regression, and CI/CD. Most QA roles require both skills. Automation-focused roles typically pay 20-30% more.

Is QA a good career in 2026?

Yes, QA remains essential as software quality becomes more critical. The shift towards automation, DevOps, and continuous testing has increased demand for skilled QA engineers. Salaries are competitive, and there are clear paths to senior roles, management, or specializations like security testing.

Should I get certified (ISTQB)?

ISTQB certification is valuable, especially for entry-level positions and in certain industries. It demonstrates foundational knowledge and commitment to the field. However, practical skills and project experience matter more for most employers. Consider getting certified after building hands-on experience.

What is the difference between QA and SDET?

QA Engineers focus on testing strategy, manual testing, and automation. SDETs (Software Development Engineers in Test) are more developer-focused, building test infrastructure, frameworks, and tools. SDETs typically have stronger programming skills and earn higher salaries. Many QA Engineers transition to SDET roles.

How do I transition from manual to automation testing?

Start by learning programming basics (Python or JavaScript). Then pick one automation tool (Selenium or Cypress) and practice daily. Automate tests for open-source projects or create your own test projects. Apply for roles that mention "hybrid" or "manual + automation" to gain professional experience.

2026 Roadmap

QA Engineer Roadmap

Master manual testing, automation testing, API testing, performance testing, and CI/CD integration. Your complete guide to becoming a professional QA Engineer in 2026.

3-6 Months•Beginner Friendly•High Demand

What is a QA Engineer?

QA (Quality Assurance) Engineers ensure software products meet quality standards before release. They design test strategies, write test cases, execute tests, and report bugs to help deliver reliable software.

As a QA Engineer, you will perform manual and automated testing, work closely with developers to identify issues early, and help maintain high-quality standards throughout the software development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Create test plans, test cases, and test scenarios
Perform manual functional and exploratory testing
Build and maintain automated test suites
Execute API and integration tests
Report, track, and verify bug fixes
Collaborate with developers in Agile teams
Set up and maintain CI/CD test pipelines

Learning Roadmap

Click on any topic to mark it as complete

Your Progress0/21 completed

QA Fundamentals

You understand QA fundamentals!

Manual Testing

You can perform manual testing!

Web Technologies

Programming for QA

UI Automation

You can automate UI tests!

API Testing

Performance Testing

Security Testing

CI/CD & DevOps

You are a professional QA Engineer!

Not Started

Completed

Milestone

QA Engineer Salaries 2026

United States (USD/Year)

Entry (0-2 yrs)

$55K - $75K

$65K

Mid (2-5 yrs)

$75K - $110K

$90K

Senior (5-8 yrs)

$110K - $150K

$130K

Lead/Manager (8+ yrs)

$150K - $200K+

$170K

India (INR/Year)

Fresher (0-1 yr)

₹3L - ₹6L

₹4.5L

Junior (1-3 yrs)

₹5L - ₹10L

₹7L

Mid (3-5 yrs)

₹10L - ₹18L

₹14L

Senior (5+ yrs)

₹18L - ₹35L+

₹25L

Automation skills significantly increase earning potential. SDETs and QA Engineers with strong programming skills earn 20-40% more. Specializing in performance or security testing also commands premium salaries.

Project Ideas

Build these to strengthen your portfolio

Test Case Portfolio

Beginner

Document test cases for a web application

Test PlanningTest CasesBug Reports

Selenium Test Suite

Beginner

Automate tests for an e-commerce site

SeleniumPage Object ModelTestNG

API Test Framework

Intermediate

Build API automation framework

REST AssuredPostmanJSON Validation

Cypress E2E Suite

Intermediate

End-to-end tests with Cypress

CypressJavaScriptCI Integration

Performance Test Suite

Advanced

Load testing with JMeter

JMeterPerformance MetricsReporting

Full QA Pipeline

Advanced

Complete CI/CD with automated tests

JenkinsDockerSelenium GridReporting

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Roadmaps

Frontend Developer

Understand what you are testing

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Backend Developer

Learn API and server concepts

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DevOps Engineer

CI/CD and infrastructure

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