As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Manager in the United States is $128,357 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a Quality Assurance Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Quality Assurance Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Assurance Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assurance Specialist IV | 7+ years | $125,884 |
| Quality Assurance Specialist V | 7-10 years | $152,310 |
| Quality Assurance Manager | 10+ years | $128,357 |
| Quality Assurance Senior Manager | 10+ years | $162,554 |
| Quality Assurance Director | 10+ years | $198,145 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Quality Assurance Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 5.92% |
| Quality Management System | 2.61% |
| Root Cause Analysis | 1.28% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Oncology
|
$143,760 |
12%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$133,491 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$133,491 |
4%
|
|
KPI
|
$132,208 |
3%
|
|
Quality Management System
|
$132,208 |
3%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$132,208 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Assurance Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Quality Assurance Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $122,625 and $130,534).
Quality Assurance Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 12.1% |
| Associates | 8.9% |
| Bachelors | 52.6% |
| Masters | 24.2% |
| Doctorate | 1.7% |
Understanding how a Quality Assurance Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on April 01, 2026For a Quality Assurance Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Quality Assurance Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $162,554 - a projected growth of 27% over your current level.
Salaries for a Quality Assurance Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $110,130 in 2023 to around $110,186 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Quality Assurance Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $110,130 |
| 2024 | $110,715 |
| 2025 | $110,186 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Quality Assurance Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Quality Assurance Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Quality Assurance Manager is $161,897.
The highest pay for Quality Assurance Manager is $152,740.
The lowest pay for Quality Assurance Manager is $105,082.
Responsible for the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure adherence to production quality standards. Monitors and audits process, material, and product testing against established standards and conducts a continuous analysis of quality defects and deviations. Identifies deficiencies or gaps in testing activities and develops solutions to ensure adequate and robust quality processes. Optimizes processes to comply with existing and new regulatory requirements. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
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