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QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salary in the United States

How much does a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior make in the United States?

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:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $181,515
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,000 to $171,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $140,440

Key Factors That Influence QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salaries?

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:

  • 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,356
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,621
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$131,634
QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior10+ years$160,495
QA/Validation Engineering Director10+ years$200,624

Top Paying Cities for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Seniors

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: $202,500
  • San Francisco: $200,300
  • Oakland: $196,000

What Skills Can Increase a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.62% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • SDLC (Mentioned in 3.85% Job Postings): The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a structured process that enables the production of high-quality, low-cost software, in the shortest possible production time.
  • Corporate Services (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): Corporate Services are defined as organisation-wide functions that deliver business support services, based on specialised knowledge, best practice and technology to serve internal customers in the delivery of departmental objectives.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.62%
SDLC 3.85%
Corporate Services 1.92%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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.

  • Engineering Management: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Kanban: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Engineering Management $194,205
21%
Kanban $178,155
11%
Java $176,550
10%

QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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.

QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salary by Company Size

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

QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 86% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$256,800$123.060%
Financial Services$224,700$108.040%
Pharmaceuticals$216,675$104.035%
Internet$208,650$100.030%
Biotechnology$200,625$96.025%

How Education impacts a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior's Salary?

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).

QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salaries by Degree Level

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%

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

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.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$150,000
Average $160,500/year
$171,500
$12,500
Average $13,375/month
$14,292
$2,885
Average $3,087/week
$3,298
$72
Average $77/hour
$82
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

QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Most common benefits for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior

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

Common company salaries for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior

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

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FAQ about QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior

1. What industry pays the highest salary for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

2. What does a senior validation engineer do?

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.

3. Are validation engineers in demand?

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.

4. What does a QA validation specialist do?

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.

5. What is the highest salary of Senior Manager?

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.

6. What is the highest salary for a quality assurance analyst?

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.

7. What does a senior validation engineer do?

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.

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.

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