Manual Testing vs. Test Automation: Which Path Protects Your Salary?
If you walk into almost any software company today, you'll usually meet two kinds of QA professionals. Some spend their time manually testing software, clicking through features and checking that everything works as expected. Then you’ll find some who write automated tests that can do much of that work for them.
Now, you may have heard people say that automation is taking over and that manual testing is becoming obsolete. But that's only partly true.
You still need to have a solid foundation in manual testing to truly build a career in this field. In fact, many automation engineers start with online QA classes to learn manual testing before moving to automation tools and programming skills. Instead of being competing career paths, the two often go hand in hand. Learning manual testing first can give you the foundation you need before moving into automation later on.
How salaries compare
If you're wondering how much you can earn as a software tester in Canada, the answer depends on a few things. These include:
Your experience
The technical skills you get from school, such as online QA classes
Where you work
The industry you work in
Generally speaking, software testers in Canada earned between CAD $55,000 and $95,000 per year in 2025. If you move into automation testing or take on a QA leadership role, it's not unusual to see salaries reach CAD $100,000 or more annually.
Analysts who blend traditional testing methodologies with automation skills could land at the higher end of this pay scale because they can presumably streamline testing cycles and reduce manual overhead. Beyond technical proficiency, your salary can also be determined by your certifications and experience level.
So if you want the chance to get higher pay, it may be worth taking online QA classes that teach you both the manual basics and advanced automation testing. With the right certifications, you may be able to negotiate a better salary with your employer or find more lucrative job opportunities with another company.
Strengthen your software testing skills
At Hitek Computer School, you can find software testing programs designed to help you develop practical testing skills. Their online QA classes teach you everything you must know about software testing fundamentals and automation concepts. To take your skills further, consider signing up for their courses that focus on specialized tools such as Selenium to help you expand your knowledge and stay competitive in the job market.
Visit their website today to take advantage of a free trial and explore the training options available. If you would rather speak with someone directly, call 1-800-604-0254 to learn more about their programs.











