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Associate Tester Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Research Associate

San Diego, CA · On-site

$92K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

... execution of testing for routine in-process analytics, data review, and preparation of summary ... What we are looking for in a Research Associate - Associate: * BS or equivalent in relevant ...

New

Associate Veterinarian

Orange, CA · On-site

$80K - $180K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Facilities/technology - in-house cPl testing, coag testing, chemistries and CBC * Hands-free radiology * Fear-Free accredited or Fear Free Certified associates when possible * AAHA accredited

Managed Services, Epic Experienced Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Opportunity The Epic Experienced Associate supports the design, configuration, testing, implementation, and ongoing optimization of assigned Epic applications. This role partners with operational ...

Lab Associate II

San Juan Capistrano, CA · On-site

$22.48/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Prepares testing equipment and assists with preventive maintenance. Notifies appropriate technical staff of equipment problems. * Assists licensed personnel (CA only) or delegated supervisor (non-CA ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Tester information

See California salary details

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How much do associate tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate tester in California is $18.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by associate testers in their day-to-day work?

Associate Testers often encounter challenges such as balancing tight deadlines with the need for thorough testing, quickly adapting to new software or updates, and effectively communicating bugs or issues to developers. They may also need to manage multiple testing tasks simultaneously while ensuring accurate documentation. Building a collaborative relationship with developers and other QA team members is essential for resolving issues efficiently and learning best practices for continuous improvement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate tester?

To thrive as an Associate Tester, you need a keen attention to detail, a basic understanding of software testing principles, and typically a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, and basic knowledge of scripting languages is often required. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively set top performers apart. These skills ensure accurate identification of defects, effective reporting, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality software products.

What is an associate tester?

Associate Testers are entry-level professionals who help ensure the quality and functionality of software, games, or products by executing test cases, identifying bugs, and reporting defects to development teams. They often work under the supervision of senior testers or quality assurance leads, following established testing procedures and documentation standards. Their work is critical in finding issues before a product is released to customers, helping to improve user experience and reliability. Associate Testers may also assist with creating test documentation and reproducing issues reported by users.

What is the difference between Associate Tester vs QA Tester?

AspectAssociate TesterQA Tester
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require basic testing certificationsHigh school diploma; certifications like ISTQB are common
Work EnvironmentEntry-level testing in software development teams, often under supervisionSimilar environment, focusing on quality assurance processes
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across IT, software, and tech companies for entry-level testing rolesWidely used in software development, IT, and tech industries for quality assurance

The main difference between an Associate Tester and a QA Tester lies in experience and scope. Associate Testers are typically entry-level, focusing on basic testing tasks, while QA Testers often have more experience and handle comprehensive quality assurance processes. Both roles are essential in software development, with overlapping skills and environments, but QA Testers usually take on more complex testing responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Tester jobs in California?

The most popular types of Tester jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Tester jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Tester job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Tester job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,147 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

Research Associate

RD Partners

San Diego, CA • On-site

$92K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

R&D Partners is seeking to hire a Research Associate - Associate in San Diego, CA.

Your main responsibilities as a Research Associate - Associate:

  • Collaborate with research, quality control (QC), and process development teams to develop AAV gene therapy analytical methods for process monitoring and characterization under guidance of scientific mentor.
  • Contribute to the development of robust separations-based methods (e.g. HPLC, UHPLC, CE-SDS, etc.) for drug substance and drug products.
  • Participate in developing timelines, protocols, studies, and reports for method development and assay transfer.
  • Author and review analytical / equipment logbooks, protocols, and reports as needed.
  • Assist in timely execution of testing for routine in-process analytics, data review, and preparation of summary reports.

What we are looking for in a Research Associate - Associate:

  • BS or equivalent in relevant discipline with a minimum of 2-5 years of relevant industry experience or Master's degree in relevant discipline with a minimum of 0-2 years of relevant industry experience.
  • Experience in pharmaceutical industry preferred, covering analytical method development and knowledge of QC testing.
  • Strong, hands-on experience in HPLC and other separation-based technologies (e.g. CE-SDS) including knowledge of standard maintenance and troubleshooting.
  • Willingness to take on new challenges required to bring novel medicines to the clinic.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Why Choose R&D Partners?

As an employee, you have access to a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical insurance - PPO, HMO &
  • Dental & Vision insurance
  • 401k plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Long-term disability
  • Weekly payroll
  • Expense reimbursement
  • Online timecard approval

Pay Scale:

$92,701 - $115,886 Dependent on Experience)

R&D Partners is a global functional service provider and strategic staffing resource specializing in scientific, clinical research & engineering. We provide job opportunities within major pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies.

R&D Partners is an equal-opportunity employer.

If you are interested in applying to this exciting opportunity, then please click 'Apply' or to speak to one of our specialists visit the 'Contact Us' page.

R&D Partners is a leading life sciences recruiter focused on finding exceptional people and matching them with the finest positions across the globe. R&D Partners is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

By submitting this application, you confirm that you've read and understood our privacy policy, which informs you how we process and safeguard your data - https://www.r-dpartners.com/privacy-policy/

Company Description

R&D Partners is a national staffing firm focused in the areas of: Scientific, Clinical Research and Engineering. Our team offers well over 200 years of combined staffing experience providing consulting, direct hire & outsourcing solutions with our west coast offices in San Francisco, Redwood City and San Diego, CA and our east coast offices located in Harrisburg, PA and Tampa, FL.

The cornerstone of our success: a knowledgeable and experienced recruiting team.

Our life sciences recruiters, clinical research recruiters and engineering recruiters are uniquely specialized. After a detailed assessment of our clients’ needs, we can then identify appropriate candidates utilizing our established network of professionals. R&D Partners takes a proactive approach to recruiting, establishing relationships with experienced passive candidates so when the time is right, we can combine our candidates’ talents with our clients’ opportunities.