Quality Manager Salary: Maximize Your Earnings in 2024

Role of a Quality Manager

As the name indicates, the quality manager is responsible for supervising the production process to ensure the product consistently meets quality standards. Quality managers, also called Quality Assurance Managers, perform a wide number of tasks, such as: 

• Take charge of creating and applying quality control tests
• Examining products at distinct levels or stages
• Developing documentation and reports for production issues
• Reviewing customer feedback, demands, and expectations
• Performing other relevant actions to improve the quality and meet the desired standards. 

The elevation in the position of a quality manager directly increases the responsibilities and, subsequently, the salaries. However, a quality manager’s salary varies with several other factors. Let’s consider that as well. 

Factors Influencing Quality Manager Salaries

Numerous factors have an impact on the salary of a quality manager. Some of them are as follows: 

1. Experience Level

Experience plays a vital role in leveling up or down the salaries of quality managers. Companies seek highly qualified professionals who can enhance their profitability and efficiency well and add value to their production. 

This can only be handled by quality managers who have efficiently dealt with distinct challenges and processes in the production to improvise accordingly. For instance, entry-level quality managers earn less in comparison to quality managers with 4 to 5 years of experience.

2. Industry

Quality managers are required in a wide range of industries. Their function or workings and methods to carry out the responsibilities are industry-specific. For instance, pharmaceuticals and healthcare quality managers play crucial roles in saving human lives and hence are currently the highest paid among different industries.  

3. Location 

The quality manager's salary also depends on the location. Have you seen people graduating from the same college with the same degree earning different salaries? This completely relies on differences in country and region where economic conditions and standard of living vary. For instance, a quality manager’s salary in the United States of America will be higher in comparison to countries with lower economic conditions.

4. Skills and Certifications

Skills and certificates in specific industries are highly valued. Companies prefer individuals who have proved their competencies. Skills show the capability to deliver better performance, while certificates are proof of dedicated learning and achievements. Quality managers' expertise in technical and soft skills is in demand, and they get hired for well-paid jobs. 

5. Company Size

The size of the organization plays a crucial role in salaries. A quality manager in top-tech companies like FAANG+ gets highly paid in comparison to quality managers working in start-ups or medium-sized companies. However, the requirement for quality management also varies, and the delivery increases with the size of the company.

Average Salary for a Quality Manager

In India, the average quality manager salary ranges from INR 8 lakhs to INR 16 lakhs per annum. However, the additional cash compensation is INR 95,690, with a range between INR 50,000 and INR 2 lakhs. 

In the United States of America, the total pay range of a quality manager is $88K to $147K per annum, where K refers to Thousands. The base pay ranges from $77K to $125K per annum, and additional pay ranges from $11K to $21K per annum. 

In the United Kingdom, an average base quality manager salary ranges from £37T to £56T per annum, where T stands for Thousands. However, an average additional cash compensation is £4,446, which ranges from £2,583 to £7,654.

Experience-Based Quality Manager Salary Trends

As we know, a quality manager's salary varies with experience level. Let us explore the trends it follows at these different levels.

1. Entry-Level Quality Manager Salary 

In India, the entry-level or junior quality manager earns an average base pay of INR 12,00,000 per annum. However, the average quality manager salary in the United States of America for entry-level is $113,432 per annum. On the other hand, a junior or entry-level quality manager gets an average pay of £50,012 per annum.

2. Lead Quality Manager Salary

The salary of a lead or mid-level quality manager in India is, on average, INR 4,62,628 per annum.  On the other hand, an average lead quality manager's salary in the United States is $120,161 per annum, whereas they earn £65,555 per annum in the United Kingdom.

3. Senior Quality Manager Salary

The senior quality managers in India earn an average salary of INR 19,50,000 per annum. In contrast, a senior quality manager's salary in the USA is $162,386 per annum. However, in the United Kingdom, they can earn £65,710 per annum.

Potential Career Growth Opportunities for Quality Managers

Quality managers have opportunities for managing distinct positions, including consulting and auditing. Let us explore some of the potential career paths and advancement within multiple quality management fields.

1. Plant Manager

A plant manager is primarily responsible for managing the entire manufacturing process in the plant. Their daily routine duty includes documenting and reviewing production records to assess whether workers' and teams' performance is meeting the standard guidelines and expectations. This helps them implement changes and techniques to improve the budget and safety procedures in the quality production process.

2. Head of Quality Assurance

The head of quality assurance is primarily responsible for defining the quality assurance strategy and leading and directing the QA team towards effective optimization and test automation. Also, they focus on the approach and execution of development projects.

3. Production Manager

Production managers mainly focus on monitoring production records, allocating labor resources, and making cost adjustments to make the entire production run smoothly. In addition, they ensure there is efficient receiving and shipping of raw materials and goods consistently.

4. Supply Chain Quality Manager

They are responsible for regular audits to evaluate the performance of suppliers and find patterns and trends of problems that occur. They further generate and implement corrective plans and troubleshoot when issues disrupt the regular functioning of the supply chain.

5. Regulatory Affairs Manager

They are responsible for assessing data from research and development teams and clinical trials and further delivering the efficacy of the product, such as a drug or medical device in the pharmaceutical industry. Regulatory affairs managers ensure the process and products are aligned with the standard regulatory guidelines like FDA or ICH.

The Role of Certifications and Training on Quality Manager Salaries

The quality professional training certification has a great role in determining the quality manager’s salary. The reason is the perfect demonstration of the gained skillset and theoretical and practical knowledge that brings value to the company. 

In the era of a competitive job landscape for the role of quality manager, companies seek candidates who pursue certification indicating a true commitment to superior professionalism, continued learning, and upholding industry standards. The training enhances the credibility and prestige of the candidate, helping them land a high-paying job in top tech companies.

Future Outlook for Quality Management

Quality management has been encircled with technological advancement now with the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), cloud computing, blockchains, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These enable enhanced automation, speed-up processing, incorporation of agile and lean methodologies, finding effective solutions, and maintaining the company's high-quality standards. 

With the improvised process of production, there will be better risk management, sustainable and eco-friendly practices, quick adaption to advancement and modifications, and globalized and interconnected supply chain management. 

The better the innovation in quality management, the higher the operational excellence, competitive benefits, high-quality products, and satisfied customers, leading to high-scale profitability and growth of the company and the employees. Thus, an innovative approach will be required from quality management professionals with competent salaries. 

Ace Your Preparation with Simplilearn

Technology-driven transformation in quality management has led to an increase in job opportunities with higher salaries. This resulted in high competition in the job landscape. Companies primarily focus on hiring skilled professionals, and candidates find challenges in qualifying for the interviews. 

However, with high-quality certifications and learning, you can achieve success in your quality management career. Join Simplilearn’s Lean Six Sigma Masters Course to learn and practice the crucial management technologies to enhance your strategies for business improvement. 

The course is accredited by IASSC and taught by industry experts, where you get valuable insights on theoretical and practical topics and the latest trends and technology advancements that boost your career. Become a skilled quality manager with Simplilearn and get placed in a salaried job now!

FAQs

1. How do I negotiate a higher salary as a Quality Manager?

You must research enough about the market salary and provide evidence of how well you deserve by adding value to their company through your skills, experience, and achievement. Be honest, polite, and realistic when presenting your thoughts on salary and negotiation.

2. Are certifications required for salary growth?

Certification is not mandatory for salary growth. However, it does upskill the candidate and has a high contribution in getting both the job role and salary increment. 

3. How do I balance career growth with maintaining work-life balance?

Work-life balance comes first with finding the position you love. Your favorite work keeps you interested in the progress with timelines, setting goals, and priorities. Segregate the time for each task effectively and follow the schedule to enjoy everything you love. Additionally, setting boundaries is advisable to stay healthy and offer time to loved ones.

4. What is the salary of a Quality Manager as a fresher?

In India, entry-level positions in quality management begin at INR 5,55,000 per annum.