Are you working as a manual tester and wondering how to advance your career? Do you see job listings for QA Engineers with higher salaries and broader competencies? The transition from manual tester to QA Engineer is a natural development path that requires mastering new technical skills, especially in test automation. In this article, you’ll learn what competencies you need to acquire, how to plan your learning, and which certifications will help you advance.
Quick navigation
- Manual tester executes tests manually, QA Engineer automates testing processes and integrates them with CI/CD
- Key skills: programming (Python/Java/JavaScript), automation tools (Selenium, Cypress, Playwright), API testing, CI/CD
- 12-month plan: programming basics → basic automation → advanced automation → CI/CD and performance testing
- Certifications: ISTQB Foundation, ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer, ISTQB Agile Tester
- QA Engineer salaries in Poland: junior 8-12K, mid 12-18K, senior 18-25K PLN
- EITT offers test automation training, ISTQB preparation, and practical workshops
Manual Tester vs QA Engineer - How They Differ
Although both positions concern ensuring software quality, the differences between a manual tester and a QA Engineer are significant.
Scope of Responsibilities
Manual tester focuses on:
- Executing functional tests according to test scenarios
- Manually checking the user interface
- Reporting bugs in systems like Jira
- Verifying fixes
- Exploratory testing
- User acceptance testing
QA Engineer additionally:
- Designs and implements automated tests
- Integrates tests with the CI/CD process
- Builds test frameworks
- Conducts performance and security testing
- Tests APIs and microservices
- Analyzes code quality metrics
- Participates in code reviews
- Influences testing architecture in the project
Required Skills
Manual tester:
- Testing methodologies (ISTQB Foundation)
- Knowledge of test design techniques
- Ability to write test cases
- Basic SQL knowledge
- Operating bug reporting tools
- HTTP, API basics
QA Engineer:
- All of the above, plus:
- Programming in at least one language (Python, Java, JavaScript)
- Automation tools: Selenium, Cypress, Playwright
- API testing: Postman, REST Assured, requests
- CI/CD: Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions
- Docker and containerization
- Git and code management
- Performance testing: JMeter, Gatling
- Design patterns and coding best practices
Salary Differences
According to 2026 data in Poland:
Manual tester:
- Junior: 5,000 - 8,000 PLN
- Mid: 8,000 - 12,000 PLN
- Senior: 12,000 - 16,000 PLN
QA Engineer:
- Junior: 8,000 - 12,000 PLN
- Mid: 12,000 - 18,000 PLN
- Senior: 18,000 - 25,000 PLN
The salary difference results from broader technical competencies and greater impact on product quality. A QA Engineer can independently build solutions that scale the testing process and reduce project costs.
Key QA Engineer Skills in 2026
1. Programming
This is the foundation of a QA Engineer career. You don’t need to be an expert, but you must comfortably write test code.
Most popular languages in testing:
- Python - easiest to learn, great for beginners, rich ecosystem of testing libraries (pytest, requests, Selenium)
- JavaScript/TypeScript - ideal for testing web applications, Cypress and Playwright are JavaScript-native tools
- Java - most popular in enterprise, requires more learning time but provides access to the largest number of job offers
What you need to know:
- Basic constructs: variables, loops, conditions, functions
- Working with data collections (lists, dictionaries, sets)
- Object-oriented programming (classes, inheritance)
- Exception handling
- Working with files and APIs
- Design patterns (especially Page Object Model)
2. UI Test Automation
Selenium WebDriver
- Most popular tool, supports all major browsers
- Requires more boilerplate code than newer tools
- Great community support and documentation
- Integration with popular testing frameworks
Cypress
- Modern tool for JavaScript/TypeScript
- Fast test execution, great debugging
- Built-in wait mechanism
- Limitations: only Chrome-based browsers, difficulties with multi-tab tests
Playwright
- Latest tool from Microsoft
- Multi-browser support, including mobile
- Great performance, test parallelization
- Auto-waiting, powerful selectors
- Growing popularity in 2026
What you must master:
- Element localization (CSS selectors, XPath)
- Element interactions (click, type, select)
- Waiting for elements (explicit/implicit waits)
- Handling alerts, iframes, windows
- Executing JavaScript on the page
- Screenshots and video recording of tests
- Page Object Model and code organization best practices
3. API Testing
Microservice-based applications require intensive API testing.
Tools:
- Postman - for manual testing and API exploration
- REST Assured (Java) - for REST API test automation
- requests (Python) - simple HTTP library
- Axios/fetch (JavaScript) - for API tests in Node.js
Skills:
- Understanding REST API, HTTP methods, status codes
- JSON response validation
- Authentication (Bearer tokens, OAuth, API keys)
- Testing different scenarios (happy path, error handling)
- Contract testing (Pact)
- Mock servers for test isolation
4. CI/CD Integration
Automated tests must run in CI/CD pipelines.
Most popular tools:
- Jenkins - most popular in enterprise
- GitLab CI/CD - built into GitLab
- GitHub Actions - simple and powerful
- Azure DevOps - for Microsoft ecosystem
What you need to know:
- Pipeline configuration (YAML)
- Triggering tests (on commit, scheduled, manual)
- Parallel execution for faster results
- Test results reporting
- Artifacts: logs, screenshots, video
- Integration with Slack/Teams for notifications
5. Performance Testing
Performance testing is the next level of QA Engineer skills.
Tools:
- JMeter - most popular, free
- Gatling - modern, code-based (Scala)
- k6 - JavaScript-based, developer-friendly
- Locust - Python-based, easy to learn
Types of tests:
- Load testing - system behavior under normal load
- Stress testing - finding the breaking point
- Spike testing - sudden traffic spikes
- Soak testing - prolonged load
6. Mobile Testing
Mobile application testing requires specialized tools.
Tools:
- Appium - iOS and Android automation
- Espresso (Android) and XCUITest (iOS) - native tools
- Detox - for React Native
- BrowserStack/Sauce Labs - cloud testing on real devices
Transition Roadmap - 12-Month Plan
The transition from manual tester to QA Engineer requires systematic learning. Here’s a realistic one-year plan.
Months 1-3: Programming Basics
Goal: Master the basics of your chosen programming language
What to do:
- Choose a language (recommendation: Python for beginners)
- Online course: Codecademy, Udemy, Coursera
- Exercises: HackerRank, LeetCode (Easy problems)
- Project: Simple script for test data validation
- 2-3 hours daily learning
Milestones:
- You understand variables, loops, conditions, functions
- You can write a simple script to parse files
- You understand OOP basics
Months 4-6: Basic Automation
Goal: First automated UI and API tests
What to do:
- Selenium/Cypress/Playwright course
- Install test environment locally
- Write your first 10-20 tests for a test application
- Learn Git and GitHub
- Testing framework: pytest/JUnit/Jest
Milestones:
- You can write a test that logs into an application
- You understand element locators
- You can validate test results (assertions)
- Your tests are in a Git repository
Months 7-9: Advanced Automation
Goal: Page Object Model, API testing, best practices
What to do:
- Refactor your tests to Page Object Model
- Learn API testing (Postman → code)
- Learn data-driven testing
- Parallel execution
- Certificate: ISTQB Foundation (if you don’t have it)
Milestones:
- Your code is readable and easy to maintain
- You can test APIs in code
- You understand design patterns in tests
- You have your first ISTQB certificate
Months 10-12: CI/CD, Performance, Portfolio
Goal: Full process integration, project portfolio
What to do:
- Configure CI/CD for your tests (GitHub Actions)
- Learn JMeter or k6 basics
- Build a portfolio on GitHub (2-3 solid projects)
- Certificate: ISTQB Agile Tester
- Apply for first Junior QA Engineer positions
Milestones:
- Your tests run automatically after each commit
- You’ve conducted a simple performance test
- You have a portfolio on GitHub with README
- You’re getting your first job offers
In parallel throughout the year:
- Practice at work: Automate fragments of your current testing work
- Community: Join QA groups on LinkedIn, Discord, Facebook
- Blog/LinkedIn: Share your learning publicly
- Meetups: Attend local testing meetups
- Open source: Join an open-source project as a tester
Certifications That Will Accelerate Your Career
Certifications won’t replace practical skills, but they help in recruitment and provide learning structure.
ISTQB Foundation Level
For whom: Foundation for every tester, if you don’t have it yet
What it provides:
- Understanding testing terminology
- Testing methodologies and processes
- Test design techniques
- Test management
Preparation time: 2-4 weeks Cost: ~800-1,000 PLN Usefulness: Very high, required in many job offers
ISTQB Advanced Level - Test Automation Engineer
For whom: QA Engineers with basic automation knowledge
What it provides:
- Test framework architecture
- Design patterns in automation
- Metrics and reporting
- CI/CD integration
- Test management in large projects
Preparation time: 2-3 months Cost: ~1,500-2,000 PLN Usefulness: High, distinguishes on the job market
ISTQB Agile Tester
For whom: Testers working in Agile/Scrum environments
What it provides:
- Testing in Agile
- Scrum and Kanban practices
- Test-Driven Development
- Behavior-Driven Development
- Continuous Testing
Preparation time: 1-2 months Cost: ~1,000-1,200 PLN Usefulness: Very high, most companies work in Agile
Vendor-specific Certifications
Selenium Certifications:
- Selenium Framework Certification (LambdaTest, BrowserStack)
- Useful for Selenium specialization
Cloud platforms:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - for cloud testing
- Azure Fundamentals - for Microsoft ecosystem
Note: Work on practical skills first, certifications are an addition, not a foundation.
QA Engineer Tools - What You Must Know
UI Automation
Selenium WebDriver
- Most popular, largest community support
- Choose language binding: Python (selenium), Java (selenium-java), JavaScript (selenium-webdriver)
- Grid for parallel execution
Cypress
- JavaScript/TypeScript only
- Great for frontend developers
- Fast feedback, easy debugging
Playwright
- Multi-browser, multi-platform
- Auto-wait, powerful assertions
- Growing popularity in 2026
Choice: If you don’t know where to start - Playwright is the best choice in 2026. Modern, fast, good documentation.
API Testing
Postman
- API exploration and manual testing
- Collections, environments, tests
- Newman for CLI automation
Code-based:
- Python: requests + pytest
- Java: REST Assured + JUnit
- JavaScript: axios/fetch + Jest
CI/CD
GitHub Actions
- Easiest start
- Free for public repos
- YAML-based configuration
Jenkins
- Enterprise standard
- Plugins for everything
- Requires more time for setup
GitLab CI/CD
- Built into GitLab
- Good for Docker-based workflows
Performance Testing
JMeter
- Free, popular
- GUI for building tests
- CLI for CI/CD
k6
- JavaScript-based
- Developer-friendly
- Great for modern APIs
Additional Tools
Docker
- Test environment containerization
- Eliminates “works on my machine”
- Foundation in 2026
Git
- Absolute must-have
- Branching, merging, pull requests
- Team collaboration
Jira
- Test and bug management
- CI/CD integrations
Allure/Report Portal
- Beautiful test reports
- Dashboards and analytics
QA Engineer Salary in Poland 2026
QA Engineer salaries depend on seniority, technology, and location.
Junior QA Engineer (0-2 years in automation)
Range: 8,000 - 12,000 PLN gross (employment contract) / 80 - 120 PLN/h (B2B)
Requirements:
- Automation basics (Selenium/Cypress/Playwright)
- One programming language
- Git and CI/CD basics
- ISTQB Foundation
Locations:
- Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw: upper range
- Smaller cities: lower range
Mid QA Engineer (2-4 years)
Range: 12,000 - 18,000 PLN gross (employment contract) / 120 - 180 PLN/h (B2B)
Requirements:
- Comfortable programming in 1-2 languages
- Experience with testing frameworks
- Page Object Model and design patterns
- CI/CD integration
- API testing
- ISTQB Advanced or Agile Tester
Additional benefits:
- Remote/hybrid work
- Medical package, Multisport
- Training and conferences
Senior QA Engineer (4+ years)
Range: 18,000 - 25,000+ PLN gross (employment contract) / 180 - 250+ PLN/h (B2B)
Requirements:
- Test solution architect
- Mentoring juniors
- Performance testing
- Security testing basics
- Influence on company QA processes
- Knowledge of multiple tools and technologies
Additional opportunities:
- QA Lead / Test Manager: 20,000 - 30,000 PLN
- SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test): 22,000 - 35,000 PLN
- QA Architect: 25,000 - 40,000 PLN
Factors Affecting Salary
Additionally paid skills (+10-30%):
- Performance testing (JMeter, Gatling)
- Security testing (OWASP, penetration testing basics)
- Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Kubernetes, Terraform
- Multiple languages/frameworks
Highest paying industries:
- Fintech: +20-30%
- E-commerce enterprise: +15-25%
- Gaming: +10-20%
- Healthcare: +10-15%
Employment form:
- B2B pays ~30-40% more than gross employment contract
- Foreign contracts (remote): 50-100% more
How EITT Helps in QA Career Development
EITT is a company with over 500 IT experts that has conducted 2,500+ trainings with a 4.8/5 rating. We support tester development at every career stage.
Test Automation Training
Selenium WebDriver - Basic Level
- 3 days of intensive workshop
- Practical exercises on real applications
- Instructors: practitioners with 10+ years of experience
- For: Manual testers starting automation
Cypress - Modern Web Testing
- 2 days hands-on workshop
- Page Object Model, CI/CD integration
- API tests in Cypress
- For: Testers with JavaScript basics
Playwright - The Future of Automation
- 2 days of practice
- Multi-browser testing, mobile testing
- Auto-waiting, powerful selectors
- For: QA Engineers wanting to learn the latest tools
ISTQB Certification Preparation
ISTQB Foundation
- 3 days training + materials for self-study
- Mock exams and feedback
- 95% pass rate for participants
- Exam included in training price
ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer
- 5 days intensive course
- Real-world case studies
- Final project
- Pre-exam consultations
ISTQB Agile Tester
- 2 days training
- Agile/Scrum in testing practice
- Continuous Testing
Individual Development Paths
For those transitioning from manual testing to automation, we offer:
“Tester → QA Engineer” Program (6 months):
- 60h of training (Selenium + programming + CI/CD)
- 1-on-1 mentoring with an expert
- Portfolio project under trainer supervision
- ISTQB Advanced preparation
- Job search support
Programming Training for Testers:
- Python for testers (40h)
- Java for QA (40h)
- JavaScript/TypeScript in testing (32h)
Practical Workshops
API Testing Workshop
- REST API, Postman, REST Assured
- Contract testing (Pact)
- Security testing basics
Performance Testing with JMeter
- Load, stress, spike testing
- Results analysis
- CI/CD integration
CI/CD for Testers
- Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions
- Pipeline as code
- Artifacts and reporting
Why EITT?
- Practitioners as trainers: Our experts work daily as QA Engineers in projects
- Small groups: Maximum 12 people, individual approach
- Hands-on: 70% of time is practice, not theory
- Post-training support: Access to materials, alumni group, consultations
- Flexibility: Online, on-site, hybrid training
- Funding: Help in obtaining public funding
How to Start?
- Free consultation: Contact us, tell us about your goals
- Development plan: Together we’ll establish a training path
- Implementation: Training + mentoring + practice
- Certification: Preparation and exam passing
- Career: Job search support as QA Engineer
Check our full training offer or contact us - we’ll be happy to help plan your QA career.
FAQ
Do I need to be a programmer to become a QA Engineer?
You don’t need to be a programmer at the software developer level, but you must be able to program at a level that allows you to write automated tests. Knowledge of one language (Python, Java, or JavaScript) and the ability to write readable, well-organized test code are sufficient. Most QA Engineers didn’t follow the classic programming path - they learned to code for testing purposes.
How long will the transition from tester to QA Engineer take?
With systematic learning 2-3 hours daily, realistically 9-12 months. If you can dedicate more time or have programming basics, you can shorten this time to 6-9 months. The key is combining theoretical learning with practice - automate fragments of your current testing work, build a portfolio of projects on GitHub, and apply for Junior QA Engineer positions after about 6 months of intensive learning.
Which automation tool to choose first - Selenium, Cypress, or Playwright?
In 2026, the best choice for beginners is Playwright. It’s modern, fast, has great documentation and automatic element waiting, which eliminates many beginner problems. However, if you plan to work in large corporations, Selenium still has the largest market share. Cypress is great if you already know JavaScript. Most important: choose one tool and master it well before moving to others.
Are ISTQB certifications really necessary?
It depends on the market and companies you’re applying to. In Poland, especially in medium and large companies, ISTQB Foundation is often required or very welcome. ISTQB Advanced Test Automation Engineer distinguishes you in the job market and shows commitment to development. However, certifications without practical skills won’t suffice - the priority is the ability to write automated tests, certifications are an addition that helps in recruitment.
How much can I earn as a Junior QA Engineer without commercial automation experience?
As a Junior QA Engineer with a GitHub project portfolio but without commercial automation experience, you can expect 8,000 - 10,000 PLN gross initially. After a year of commercial experience, 10,000 - 13,000 PLN is realistic. The key is a solid portfolio (2-3 test projects showing different skills), ISTQB Foundation certificate, and the ability to discuss your code in recruitment interviews. The first 6-12 months are an investment - then salaries grow faster.
Can a QA Engineer work remotely?
Yes, QA Engineer is one of the most remote-friendly positions in IT. In 2026, most companies offer remote or hybrid work. Remote work is especially popular among QA Engineers because test automation doesn’t require physical presence in the office. You can even apply to foreign companies with a Polish contract or start a business and work for clients worldwide - salaries in this model are significantly higher (150-250 PLN/h).
The transition from manual tester to QA Engineer is a career development investment that pays off many times over - both financially and in job satisfaction. It requires systematic learning for 9-12 months but opens doors to much better career opportunities and higher salaries. Master programming in one language, learn an automation tool (Playwright, Selenium, or Cypress), integrate tests with CI/CD, and build a portfolio on GitHub - this is the recipe for success.
EITT has been supporting testers in this transformation for over 15 years - check our test automation training or contact us for a free consultation. Our experts will help you plan a development path tailored to your goals and current skill level.
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