As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA Manager in the United States is $128,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.
However, a QA Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A QA 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a QA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| QA Analyst IV | 7+ years | $125,902 |
| QA Analyst V | 7-10 years | $152,383 |
| QA Manager | 10+ years | $128,401 |
| Senior Manager of Quality Assurance | 10+ years | $162,593 |
| Director of Quality Assurance | 10+ years | $198,217 |
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 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
|
$143,909 |
12%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$133,630 |
4%
|
|
Innovation
|
$133,630 |
4%
|
|
KPI
|
$132,345 |
3%
|
|
Quality Management System
|
$132,345 |
3%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$132,345 |
3%
|
QA Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $143,837. While startup companies pay approximate $121,683.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $121,683 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $128,694 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $138,900 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $143,837 |
For QA Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, QA Manager positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telecom | $192,735 | $93.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a QA 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 August 01, 2026For a QA Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Senior Manager of Quality Assurance role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $162,600 - a projected growth of 27% over your current level.
Salaries for a QA 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 QA 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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The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for QA Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
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