Jaro Education
IT/Software Development
December 10, 2025

Software Tester Salary in India: Everything You Need to Know

As India continues to innovate rapidly in the digital world, demand for flawless software has grown significantly. Whether we talk about a mobile app, website, or platform, there is a software tester working behind the scenes to ensure every software or app runs smoothly, efficiently, and without errors. Currently, testing software has shifted from a support role to being a foundational piece of modern product development. Thus, a software tester has become one of the best paths you can take if you wish to pursue a lucrative and enduring career in tech.


Whether you are a fresher eager to start a journey in IT or a professional dreaming of taking a high jump in your career, understanding the software tester salary in India and using this knowledge to set realistic career goals is critical.


This blog will outline everything you need to know about the average software tester salary, including experience levels, departments, salary trends, and averages for freshers and experienced testers. Plus, we shall also talk about factors that affect the salary range and how you can be a professional software tester. Stay tuned to learn more.

Table Of Content

What is Software Testing?

Qualifications Needed to be a Software Tester

Average Salary of a Software Tester in India

Factors Influencing Software Tester Salary in India

Software Tester Salary for Freshers

How Jaro Education Can Help You Boost Your Career

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

software testing life cycle

*katalon.com

What is Software Testing?

Software testing is a method used to assess and confirm that a software application performs as it was intended. Testing involves running programs intentionally until all known bugs or errors have been successfully identified, fixed, and verified. The overall goal of testing is to ensure that the software product works as expected and meets the needs of users and businesses prior to distributing the product to the respective users.

In other words, software testers serve as the “quality keepers” of technology. They identify issues regarding the performance of the software, usability of the software, or security issues that may degrade the user experience and functionality of the software product.

There are different types of software testing, including:

Functional Testing

Verifying that every function of a software program operates in conformance to the requirement specification.

Performance Testing

Testing the software application’s speed,
responsiveness, and stability under load.

Usability Testing

Identifying how user-friendly and intuitive the software is.

Security Testing

Assessing the security of the software in respect to a system’s vulnerabilities and exposing potential data loss or functionality loss.

Automation Testing

Testing using an automation testing tool(s) to automate some of the functioning testing like tools such as Selenium or JUnit.

Software testing benefits

*assorttech.com

Qualifications Needed to be a Software Tester

Being a software tester does not have to involve an advanced degree in computer science – however, certain educational credentials, technical skills, or even problem-solving or analytical skills can contribute to a strong candidate.

1. Educational Preparations

For a software tester, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Sciences, Information Technology, or Engineering is commonly preferred. However, even non-technical candidates hoping to break into software testing can acquire certifications and/or take courses to specialise in software testing.

2. Knowledge of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Understanding the SDLC phases of requirement analysis, design, development, testing, and deployment can assist a tester to work more effectively with developers or project managers.

3. Familiarity with Testing Methodologies and Tools

Knowledge of testing methodologies such as black box testing, white box testing, and automated testing is important. Familiarity with testing tools such as Selenium, JUnit, TestNG, LoadRunner, or QTP is also an important addition!

4. Programming and Scripting Skills

Basic familiarity with programming languages such as Java, Python, or C#, as well as scripting languages such as JavaScript, is helpful, although not essential, for automating test cases.

5. Soft Skills and Analytical Thinking

Detail-oriented thinking, communication and analytical skills are necessary and required in order to identify even minor issues with software and provide an accurate report.

Average Salary of a Software Tester in India

There are various factors – such as experience, skill, industry and location – that contribute to the average software tester salary in India. In fact, freshers are given competitive packages and after gaining experience and developing skills, software testers can grow significantly.

Software Tester Salaries by Experience

Here’s the breakdown of software tester salary based on their experience: 

Years of ExperienceSalary Range (Per Year)
1 year ₹1.1 L – ₹5.0 L
2 years ₹1.8 L – ₹6.0 L
3 years ₹2.4 L – ₹8.5 L
4 years ₹2.7 L – ₹11.8 L
5 years ₹2.6 L – ₹20.0 L

Insight:

Entry level job seekers with a strong programming background or automation testing experience tend to make higher than average starting salaries, while experienced testers with domain specialization (for example, fintech or cybersecurity) earn higher incomes.

Software Tester Salary Across Departments

Different departments within the tech ecosystem offer varied software tester salary depending on complexity and skill requirements.

DepartmentExperience RangeSalary Range (Per Year)
Engineering – Software & QA1–5 years₹1.8 L – ₹8.5 L
Quality Assurance1–5 years₹1.8 L – ₹8.5 L
IT & Information Security1–5 years₹1.8 L – ₹8.5 L
Data Science & Analytics1–5 years₹1.8 L – ₹7.0 L
Customer Success, Service & Operations1–5 years₹1.9 L – ₹6.5 L
Research & Development1–5 years₹1.8 L – ₹7.5 L

Ambition Box

Popular Companies Hiring Software Testers in India

Here’s an overview of top IT companies with their average salary of software tester in india:

Company NameSalary Range (Per Year)
TCS₹3.5 L – ₹7.2 L
Cognizant₹3.5 L – ₹8.5 L
Accenture₹1.8 L – ₹14.2 L
UST₹4.5 L – ₹9.6 L
Capgemini₹3.4 L – ₹8.3 L
Word Publishing₹1.0 L – ₹3.0 L
Wipro₹2.2 L – ₹6.8 L
Tech Mahindra₹2.2 L – ₹7.0 L
IBM₹4.6 L – ₹11.5 L
Infosys₹2.4 L – ₹8.0 L

Credits: AmbitionBox

Factors Influencing Software Tester Salary in India

There are a number of factors that contribute to the average salary of software tester in India. Some of the most important factors are described below:

Level of Experience:

When it comes to salary, the level of experience is perhaps the most important factor. Freshers usually earn a modest salary, but it can rise significantly after 3–5 years of experience.  

Skill Set:

Testers who have skills in automation tools, API testing, and AI-based test frameworks, are in significantly greater demand.  

Industry:

Finance, cybersecurity, and e-commerce industries typically pay higher than smaller startups; other industries typically offer lower software tester salary. 

Location:

Metro cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon have developed to offer higher packages due to demand and the cost of living.  

Certifications:

Certifications such as ISTQB, CSTE, and Selenium certification can significantly improve software tester salary.  

Company Size:

Organizations with a larger organizational structure tend to pay better than small-scale organizations and also offer structured career paths.

Software Tester Salary for Freshers

The average software tester salary for freshers lies between ₹2.5 to ₹4.5 Lakhs per annum. However, if they have an appropriate certification or some automation experience, they can often secure jobs with remuneration of up to 6 Lakhs per annum or above.

Top Entry Level Job Titles for New Graduates:

  • Junior QA Engineer
  • Manual Tester
  • Test Analyst (Intern)
  • Automation Test Engineer (Trainee)

How Jaro Education Can Help You Boost Your Career

In an ever-evolving technological landscape, keeping your edge means that it is time to constantly upgrade your skills. This is where Jaro Education comes in. Jaro Education partners with top universities and institutions in India to  provide industry-relevant online degrees and certification programs aimed at working professionals and freshers to build a strong IT career. 

Why Jaro Education? 

  • Programs from Universities: Industry-recognized programs from well known institutions such as IIMs, Manipal University Jaipur, and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. 
  • Career-Focused Learning: The programs focus on preparing learners for real-world applications in software development, data analytics, and in quality management. 
  • Flexible Learning Paths: Learn at your own pace with combinations of live, recorded lectures, and industrial projects.  
  • Career Services and Mentorship: Access to career guidance mentors, personalized counselling, and networking opportunities. 
  • Globally Recognized: Credentials recognized within industries around the globe. 

If it is your passion to grow the technical foundation for a sustainable and lucrative income as a software tester, Jaro Education programs in Computer Applications, AI, and IT Management can be the right foundation for future-proof employment.

Conclusion

Software testing remains a highly popular IT career option in India, with excellent job security, career advancement, and attractive pay packages. Transitioning from being a fresher entering the job market or from an established QA professional transitioning into leadership, reviewing the software tester salary trends in India will help you make informed career decisions on which to base your future employment plans. 

Software testers will continue to be a valuable asset, especially as the focus on digital quality, automation, and cybersecurity continues to grow. With upskilling from organizations, such as Jaro Education, software testers will continue to find new opportunities, increased worker compensation, and careers in the continually growing tech sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly. With the growing digital transformation, there will always be a demand for software testing. This means job stability and increased career progression for software testing professionals.

The average software tester salary is expected to be ₹3 LPA for freshers and ₹7-10 LPA for experienced professionals; however, this can vary based on skills and location.

Certifications such as ISTQB, Selenium, CSTE, and Agile Testing can help increase software tester salary potential.

Yes. Non-IT graduates can certainly transition to software testing roles with the proper training and certifications.

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