QA/Validation Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a QA/Validation Engineering Director make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Director in the United States is $196,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $94.

However, a QA/Validation Engineering Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $220,645
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $183,800 to $208,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $172,693
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
View as table View as graph 25% $183,800 10% $172,693 90% $220,645 75% $208,900 $196,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

QA/Validation Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $208,900 $17,408 $4,017 $100
Average $196,000 $16,333 $3,769 $94
25th Percentile $183,800 $15,317 $3,535 $88
Check out QA/Validation Engineering Director Job Openings in the United States
Registered Nurse

Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center - MANKATO, MN

Registered Nurse

Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center - MANKATO, MN

Registered Nurse

Laurels Peak Rehabilitation Center - MANKATO, MN

Registered Nurse

Via Christi Village Hays - HAYS, KS

Search More QA/Validation Engineering Director Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence QA/Validation Engineering Director Salaries

A QA/Validation Engineering 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.

How Experience Level Affects QA/Validation Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a QA/Validation Engineering 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:

  • Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer (7-10 years): $150,344
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $112,628
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager (10+ years): $131,675
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior (10+ years): $160,543
  • QA/Validation Engineering Director (10+ years): $195,917
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,344
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,628
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$131,675
QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior10+ years$160,543
QA/Validation Engineering Director10+ years$195,917
$150,344 Expert/Co...
$112,628 QA/Valida...
$131,675 QA/Valida...
$160,543 QA/Valida...
$195,917 QA/Valida...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for QA/Validation Engineering Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $247,200
  • San Francisco: $244,700
  • Oakland: $239,300

QA/Validation Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a QA/Validation Engineering 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 March 01, 2026

Salary Trends for QA/Validation Engineering Director

Salaries for a QA/Validation Engineering Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $180,538 in 2023 to around $177,596 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA/Validation Engineering Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of QA/Validation Engineering Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$180,538
2024
$179,656
2025
$177,596
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $180,538
2024 $179,656
2025 $177,596
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for QA/Validation Engineering Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for QA/Validation Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for QA/Validation Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next QA/Validation Engineering Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current QA/Validation Engineering Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about QA/Validation Engineering Director

1. What is the highest salary for a validation engineer?

The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Director is $224,900. The salary range for this position typically starts at $187,700, with a mid-level salary of $206,700. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field, highlighting the value of experienced professionals in QA and validation engineering roles.

2. How much do QA engineers make in USA?

The average salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Director in the US ranges from $187,700 to $224,900, with a mid-salary of $206,700. This reflects the competitive compensation for leadership roles in quality assurance, highlighting the importance of expertise in ensuring product quality and compliance.

3. What is the highest salary in QA?

The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Director is $224,900 per year, while the lowest salary is $187,700 per year. The average salary for this role is approximately $206,700 annually.

4. What is the salary of quality validation?

The estimated total pay for a QA/Validation Engineering Director ranges from $187,700 to $224,900 per year, with an average salary of approximately $206,700 per year.

5. How much does a director of quality make in the US?

In the US, a Director of Quality typically earns between $187,700 and $224,900 annually, with a mid-salary of $206,700. This reflects a competitive salary range for experienced professionals in QA/Validation Engineering, highlighting the importance of quality assurance in various industries.

6. Do validation engineers make good money?

Validation engineers can earn competitive salaries. For a QA/Validation Engineering Director, the salary ranges from a minimum of $187,700 to a maximum of $224,900, with a mid-point salary of $206,700. This reflects the high demand and specialized skills required in the field, making it a lucrative career choice.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job