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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 April 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior in the United States is $160,600 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): $181,233
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,000 to $171,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $140,349
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View as table View as graph 25% $150,000 10% $140,349 90% $181,233 75% $171,400 $160,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $171,400 $14,283 $3,296 $82
Average $160,600 $13,383 $3,088 $77
25th Percentile $150,000 $12,500 $2,885 $72
Check out QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Job Openings in the United States
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L3Harris Technologies - Cincinnati Airport, OH

Lead Software Engineering

L3Harris Technologies - Mason, OH

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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): $150,346
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $112,627
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager (10+ years): $131,670
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior (10+ years): $160,537
  • QA/Validation Engineering Director (10+ years): $195,918
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,346
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,627
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$131,670
QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior10+ years$160,537
QA/Validation Engineering Director10+ years$195,918
$150,346 Expert/Co...
$112,627 QA/Valida...
$131,670 QA/Valida...
$160,537 QA/Valida...
$195,918 QA/Valida...
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What Am I Worth?

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: $200,500
  • Oakland: $196,100

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.
See More Skills
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
$194,326
21%
Kanban
$178,266
11%
Java
$176,660
10%
iOS
$176,660
10%
Azure
$175,054
9%
Risk Management
$175,054
9%
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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%
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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 April 01, 2026

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 $196,000 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Salary Trends for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior

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, .

Average Annual Salary of QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$149,185
2024
$147,929
2025
$146,634
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $149,185
2024 $147,929
2025 $146,634
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for QA/Validation Engineering Manager, Senior

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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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