As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior in the United States is $160,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.
However, a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $171,500 | $14,292 | $3,298 | $82 |
| Average | $160,500 | $13,375 | $3,087 | $77 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,000 | $12,500 | $2,885 | $72 |
A QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior'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 | $150,356 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor | 10+ years | $112,621 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Manager | 10+ years | $131,634 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior | 10+ years | $160,495 |
| QA/Validation Engineering Director | 10+ years | $200,624 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.62% |
| SDLC | 3.85% |
| Corporate Services | 1.92% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Management | $194,205 | |
| Kanban | $178,155 | |
| Java | $176,550 |
QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $179,182. While startup companies pay approximate $151,721.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $151,721 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $160,426 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $173,014 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $179,182 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Seniors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior with a Bachelor's Degree is between $161,922 and $168,940).
| Typical Education for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 4.2% |
| High School | 4.2% |
| Associates | 3.2% |
| Bachelors | 44.2% |
| Masters | 46.3% |
| Doctorate | 2.1% |
Understanding how a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior'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 | $171,500 | $14,292 | $3,298 | $82 |
| Average | $160,500 | $13,375 | $3,087 | $77 |
| 25th Percentile | $150,000 | $12,500 | $2,885 | $72 |
For a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the QA/Validation Engineering Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $200,700 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.
Salaries for a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $149,185 in 2023 to around $146,634 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $149,185 |
| 2024 | $147,929 |
| 2025 | $146,634 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.
A Senior Validation Engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining validation procedures, templates, and project plans. They update computerized system lifecycle processes and manage large-scale validation projects. This role also involves creating and implementing risk-based validation processes. The salary for this position ranges from $156,400 to $182,300, with a midpoint of $169,200.
Validation Engineers are indeed in demand, with an anticipated increase of 35,600 new jobs by 2029. This growing need is reflected in the competitive salary range for QA/Validation Engineering Managers, which spans from $156,400 to $182,300, with a median salary of $169,200. This trend highlights the importance of these professionals in the industry.
A QA Validation Specialist is responsible for maintaining the equipment calibration program, ensuring that all equipment performs optimally. They track and report on calibration performance, ensuring compliance with standards. The salary for this role typically ranges from $156,400 to $182,300, with a mid-point of $169,200, reflecting the importance of their work in quality assurance.
The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Senior Manager is $182,300. The minimum salary starts at $156,400, while the mid-range salary is $169,200. This data reflects the competitive compensation for this role in the industry.
The salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Manager ranges from $156,400 to $182,300, with a mid-point of $169,200. This data reflects the compensation for experienced professionals in the field, highlighting the potential earnings for those in managerial roles within quality assurance.
As a Senior Validation Engineer, you will collaborate with multiple departments to support the validation of computer systems, equipment, processes, utilities, and facilities necessary for packaging operations at the site. The salary for this role typically ranges from $156,400 to $182,300, with a midpoint of $169,200, reflecting the expertise and responsibilities involved.
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