As of September 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:
QA/Validation Engineering Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $209,100 | $17,425 | $4,021 | $101 |
| Average | $196,000 | $16,333 | $3,769 | $94 |
| 25th Percentile | $183,800 | $15,317 | $3,535 | $88 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer | 7-10 years | $150,354 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor | 10+ years | $112,622 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $131,640 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior | 10+ years | $160,502 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Director | 10+ years | $195,923 |
QA/Validation Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $219,038. While startup companies pay approximate $185,284.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $185,284 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $195,956 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $211,509 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $219,038 |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $209,100 | $17,425 | $4,021 | $101 |
| Average | $196,000 | $16,333 | $3,769 | $94 |
| 25th Percentile | $183,800 | $15,317 | $3,535 | $88 |
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, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $180,538 |
| 2024 | $179,656 |
| 2025 | $177,596 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for QA/Validation Engineering Director roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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