As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA Director in the United States is $198,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.
However, a QA Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A QA Director'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a QA Director'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 |
|---|---|---|
| QA Analyst V | 7-10 years | $152,383 |
| Manager of Quality Assurance | 10+ years | $128,401 |
| Senior Manager of Quality Assurance | 10+ years | $162,593 |
| QA Director | 10+ years | $198,217 |
| Vice President of Quality Assurance | 10+ years | $244,557 |
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 QA Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 16.26% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.38% |
| Sustainability | 1.05% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Innovation
|
$208,205 |
5%
|
|
Agile
|
$208,205 |
5%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$206,222 |
4%
|
|
Risk Management
|
$206,222 |
4%
|
|
Sustainability
|
$204,239 |
3%
|
|
Procurement
|
$204,239 |
3%
|
QA Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $221,974. While startup companies pay approximate $187,785.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $187,785 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $198,605 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $214,355 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $221,974 |
For QA Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, QA Director positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $247,862 | $119.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $237,948 | $114.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $228,033 | $110.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $222,085 | $107.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $218,119 | $105.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a QA Director'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 August 01, 2026For a QA Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Vice President of Quality Assurance role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $244,600 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.
Salaries for a QA Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $202,484 in 2023 to around $201,192 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $202,484 |
| 2024 | $203,808 |
| 2025 | $201,192 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for QA Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
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