Testers Now Often Make as Much as Programmers

Testing software to ferret out bugs that drive consumers crazy was once seen as dull and dreary work to be shunned by brainy technology experts. But the need to ensure electronic products' quality has spawned the latest hiring boom in the $16 billion outsourcing industry.

Software glitches are estimated to cost nearly $60 billion a year in the U.S. alone, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

"They used to say this [testing] is where failed programmers went. Not anymore," said Vidur Kohli, Head of Testing at Mphasis BFL Ltd., adding that testers now often make as much as programmers.