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QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor in the United States is $112,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $131,040
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $105,300 to $122,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $98,563

Key Factors That Influence QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salaries

A QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor'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 Supervisor Salaries?

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

  • QA/Validation Engineer IV (7+ years): $125,326
  • 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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
QA/Validation Engineer IV7+ years$125,326
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

Top Paying Cities for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisors

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: $142,100
  • San Francisco: $140,500
  • Oakland: $137,600

What Skills Can Increase a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Data Privacy (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Updating and reviewing data protection regulations and policies to ensure data confidentiality and immutability.
  • Jenkins (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Jenkins is an open source automation server. It helps automate the parts of software development related to building, testing, and deploying, facilitating continuous integration and continuous delivery.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 3.45%
Data Privacy 3.45%
Jenkins 3.45%

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 Supervisor's salary.

  • Jenkins: Can increase your salary by up to 44%.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Jenkins $162,288
44%
Software Development $146,510
30%
Java $138,621
23%

QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $125,818. While startup companies pay approximate $106,536.

QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $106,536
Growth Stage 51~500 $112,648
Established 501~5000 $121,487
Enterprise 5000+ $125,818

QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$135,240$65.020%

How Education impacts a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many QA/Validation Engineering Supervisors 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 Supervisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $108,363 and $115,176).

QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.1%
High School 10.1%
Associates 13.1%
Bachelors 41.4%
Masters 35.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor'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
$105,300
Average $112,700/year
$122,300
$8,775
Average $9,392/month
$10,192
$2,025
Average $2,167/week
$2,352
$51
Average $54/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $122,300 $10,192 $2,352 $59
Average $112,700 $9,392 $2,167 $54
25th Percentile $105,300 $8,775 $2,025 $51

QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

For a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the QA/Validation Engineering Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $131,700 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor

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

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FAQ about QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid engineering position?

The highest-paid engineering position can vary, but a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor typically earns between $102,200 and $126,900, with a median salary of $114,900. This role is crucial in ensuring product quality and compliance, making it a highly valued position in the engineering field.

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

The highest salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor is $126,900. The salary range for this position typically starts at $102,200 (min) and goes up to $126,900 (max), with a midpoint of $114,900. This reflects the competitive compensation in the field of validation engineering.

4. Which country pays highest salary for QA?

The highest salaries for QA/Validation Engineering Supervisors can be found in countries like Switzerland, where the average monthly salary ranges from $8,500 to $11,700, and Australia, with salaries between $10,000 and $13,000. In comparison, the salary range for this role in the U.S. is approximately $102,200 to $126,900 annually.

5. How much does a QA manager earn in USA?

The salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor in the USA ranges from $102,200 to $126,900, with a mid-point of $114,900. This reflects the base salary without additional compensation, which may vary based on experience and location.

6. Do validation engineers make good money?

Validation engineers can earn a competitive salary. Based on recent data, the minimum salary for a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor is $102,200, with a mid-range salary of $114,900 and a maximum salary of $126,900. This reflects the strong demand and specialized skills required in the field.

7. How much does a QA supervisor make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor in the US ranges from $102,200 to $126,900 per year, with a mid-salary of $114,900. These figures reflect the current market rates for this role, providing a clearer picture of compensation in the industry.

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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