Product Tester Jobs: What Are They and How Can I Get One?

Product testing verifies a product’s quality and informs consumers of its reliability. Companies can advertise their products based on claims backed by evidence acquired through functionality checks and quality tests.

Product testing can also safeguard against litigation regarding defective products or false advertising. Additionally, the testing process provides the manufacturer with information to help make warranty decisions or add protection for the customer based on testing results. 

A product testing career involves all the operations, ensuring products function as designed. If you’re interested in quality assurance, understanding how products work, and testing product functionality and durability, you may find product testing a good field to pursue.

What is a product tester?

Corporations often hire distributors or marketing firms, which in turn hire product testers to evaluate products. These testers assess the products’ capabilities and determine the conditions they can withstand. The company then uses the product tester’s feedback to make claims when selling the product. 

As a product tester, you’ll use a product or conduct specific tests based on a procedure and evaluate the product based on valuable criteria. You’ll then give the company detailed feedback about your experience with the product and any other helpful information you may have.

The more understanding you have of how the product should function—including the experience it should provide, plus the company’s expectations—the better you can perform product testing.

Product testers get exclusive access to products before they come out and can often keep the product once the testing is over, which is another perk of the profession. Many product testers test the products in a natural environment. Testers work in a home or work setting rather than testing in a lab or facility. It can be an excellent way for a company to determine if its products will perform properly for the end user.

What do product testers test?

Product testers work in many industries, including beauty, food, kitchenware, education, books, toys, furniture, hygiene, and health. The information product testers gather is often a primary marketing talking point, so product testing in these industries is essential for their business operations. Examples of products companies have product testers evaluate include:

• Video games

• Software

• Cosmetics

• Athletic footwear and apparel

• Automobiles

• Foods and beverages

• Electronics

• Baby and toddler products

• Pet products

• Household cleaners

How much do product testers earn?

The average annual base pay for all product testers in the UK is £26,381 [1]. This average does not include additional pay, such as bonuses or commissions. 

The average annual earnings for product testers vary significantly based on how many years of experience they may have. For example, Talent reports salaries ranging from £24,375 per year to £45,000 per year, depending on your experience [2].  

Types of product testing roles

You can choose from a range of testing roles, each with a specialty. Learn about these four typical product testing roles: 

• Concept testing: This involves a team of testers exploring a product's idea and projecting how it will sell on the market. Concept testing often involves teams pitching different product ideas to executives and carrying out customer surveys. 

• Quality assurance (QA) testing: QA occurs in a controlled setting. Testing teams thoroughly test product efficacy and reliability before placing it on the market. You’ll also evaluate various valuable criteria for the company.

• A/B testing: Also called split testing, this type of testing involves comparing two versions of a product. The test groups then determine which features are valuable to customers through surveys. The features they test could be colours, names, features, and other minor changes to the product. The A/B testing will shape the final product based on critical customer feedback.

• Market testing: Market testing involves launching a product into the market to assess how customers receive it. You can also ascertain how it performs in various demographics and what changes may increase product quality and sales. This product testing helps the sales teams quantify a product’s popularity and if it’s worth pouring further resources into, including advertising, person-hours, and distribution.

Work-from-home options

Working from home as a product tester is easier now than ever. Many companies want their products tested in the home because end users will interact with them the most.

Your employer will likely ship products to you, and you’ll use company software or another interface to evaluate products, give feedback, and quantify the criteria your company offers you.

Qualifications needed to become a product tester

Becoming a product tester has no formal education requirements. However, many companies seek people with knowledge and familiarity with their products so they’ll receive an accurate evaluation. Someone who’s used a particular brand for a long time would be a top tester candidate. Why? Because they know the ins and outs, plus what to expect from a given product. Some companies may work with recruiters or marketing research firms or run their own testing programs to find product testers. To find companies offering product testing, look to online platforms, product testing websites, or local research marketing firms. Companies may ask you to complete a survey or attend an in-person interview to see if you’re a good candidate for product testing.  

To become a product tester, you likely need a dedicated email address, as well as the time and understanding to test products and provide helpful and thorough feedback. 

Experience needed to become a product tester

The most valuable experience for an aspiring product tester would be someone familiar with a particular company or product. Someone who’s participated in focus groups, surveys, or polls to test demographics and markets would also make a strong product tester candidate. For software testers, someone with knowledge of the software’s functions and services would be valuable. 

Prepare for product tester jobs and more on Coursera

Product tester jobs have minimal formal qualification requirements beyond familiarity with the products, company, and industry. If testing products and getting to experience products before they enter the market interests you, becoming a product tester may be a good career move. You can also make a career out of product testing. Explore the Introduction to Software Testing course from the University of Minnesota on Coursera to learn more. Alternatively, build your workplace skills to support your success as a product tester and in any other occupations you may pursue with IBM’s People and Soft Skills for Professional and Personal Success Specialisation.