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Entry Level Tester Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

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QA Analyst - Entry Level

Herndon, VA

We are actively looking for Entry level QA/BA Analyst position for our clients throughout USA ... Performed all types of system testing, functional and smoke, sanity testing, re-testing, regression ...

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Entry Level Tester information

See Washington, DC salary details

$12

$43

$71

How much do entry level tester jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level tester in Washington, DC is $43.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.23 and $57.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level tester, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Tester, you need a basic understanding of software development, attention to detail, and familiarity with testing concepts, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Knowledge of bug tracking tools like JIRA, test management systems, and basic scripting or automation frameworks is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, communication skills, and a willingness to learn make candidates stand out in this position. These skills ensure accurate identification and documentation of software issues, contributing to the delivery of high-quality products.

What does an entry level tester do?

An entry level tester is responsible for evaluating software applications to find and report bugs or issues before a product is released. They execute test cases, document results, and work closely with developers to ensure the software meets quality standards. Entry level testers may also help create test documentation and learn various testing tools and methodologies as they gain experience.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level testers when working with development teams?

Entry level testers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex software requirements, adapting to different testing tools, and effectively communicating bugs to developers. Since testers frequently collaborate with developers, clear and concise reporting is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and ensure issues are addressed promptly. New testers may also need time to become familiar with the team's workflow and agile methodologies, but regular feedback and open communication can help build confidence and proficiency over time.

What is the difference between Entry Level Tester vs Software Quality Assurance Tester?

AspectEntry Level TesterSoftware Quality Assurance Tester
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certifications optionalHigh school diploma; certifications like ISTQB beneficial
Work EnvironmentTesting labs, development teams, or remoteTesting labs, development teams, or remote
Industry UsageCommon in software development, IT, and tech companiesCommon in software development, IT, and tech companies
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by beginners or those new to testing rolesOften compared for career progression or specialization

Both roles involve testing software to identify bugs, but an Entry Level Tester typically focuses on executing test cases and reporting issues, while a Software Quality Assurance Tester may have broader responsibilities including test planning, process improvement, and ensuring quality standards. The roles overlap significantly in work environment and industry usage, with the main difference being scope and experience level.

What are the most commonly searched types of Tester jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Tester jobs in Washington, DC are:
Entry Level Tester jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Tester job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 57% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 42% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,338 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Entry-Level Java Developer/Automation Tester

SAIC

Ashburn, VA • Hybrid

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 223 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2613924

Location: Ashburn, VA, US

Date Posted: 2026-07-30

Category: Software

Subcategory: SW Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: None

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Public Trust

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE


Description

We are currently seeking a motivated, career and customer-oriented Java/JEE Developer (Entry Level) to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career in Ashburn, VA. Please note that candidates will be required to be in an automation tester role for the first 12-18 months of their employment. This is so that the candidate will get up to speed with the team structure, applications, technology stack, work requirements, etc. The candidate will then graduate to a developer role on the team.

Job Responsibilities

  • Design, implement, and unit test REST web services with Java, Spring, and JUnit.
  • Develop web applications with Angular that communicate with backend services.
  • Generating test data and performing Data Validation by writing SQL queries.
  • Write automation test scripts using Java.
  • Work collaboratively within a large, Agile development team.

Qualifications

Required Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related engineering field 

  • Experience with Java/JEE design and software development experience including designing, developing, and documenting large-scale enterprise software systems

  • Spring Boot

  • REST web services

  • RxJS

  • Typescript

  • XML/JSON

  • RDBMS (e.g. Oracle or PostgreSQL)

  • SQL

  • JPA/Hibernate

  • Angular

  • HTML/Javascript/CSS

  • Knowledge of web application development required

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Master’s degree in computer science or related field is a plus

  • Recent and relevant course projects, internships, co-ops, or personal work showcasing full stack development skills would be a plus 

  • Experience with microservices architecture

  • Experience writing their own automation scripts 

  • Experience with Selenium, Cucumber, Playwright 

  • Experience with NoSQL databases

  • Familiar with AWS

  • Comfortable with Eclipse and Visual Studio Code

  • Agile development approach

  • Good communication skills (writing and presenting)

  • Strong initiative: must be able to take a high-level requirement, ask questions/seek clarifications, and get the job done 

  • Ability to work in a high-pressured, tight-deadline environment

  • Superior written and oral communication skills are essential  

  • Must be able to multitask efficiently and progressively and work comfortably in an ever-changing data environment 

  • Must work well in a team environment as well as independently

  • Excellent verbal/written communication and problem solving skills; ability to communicate information to a variety of groups at different technical skill levels

Customer Requirements

  • Clearance – Ability to obtain and hold a public trust position and favorable suitability based on a CBP Background Investigation
  • Citizenship – Must be a US Citizen
  • Location – Required to be on-site in Ashburn, VA 5 days per week for the first year of employment. After their first year, they will have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2-3 days on-site) depending on the needs of the team.

Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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