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Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager in the United States is $160,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

However, a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $181,414
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $149,990 to $171,490
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $140,339
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salaries

A Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager'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 Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager'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): $150,354
  • QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $112,622
  • QA/Validation Engineering Manager (10+ years): $131,640
  • Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $160,502
  • QA/Validation Engineering Director (10+ years): $195,923
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Expert/Consultant Level Quality Assurance Engineer7-10 years$150,354
QA/Validation Engineering Supervisor10+ years$112,622
QA/Validation Engineering Manager10+ years$131,640
Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager10+ years$160,502
QA/Validation Engineering Director10+ years$195,923
View as Graph

How Do Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $177,790.
  • California: $177,090.
  • Massachusetts: $174,690.

Top Paying Cities for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Managers

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: $202,490
  • San Francisco: $200,290
  • Oakland: $196,090

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager'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%
See More Skills

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 Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager'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 $194,314
21%
Kanban $178,255
11%
Java $176,649
10%
Get Latest Data

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $179,466. While startup companies pay approximate $151,810.

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $151,810
Growth Stage 51~500 $160,554
Established 501~5000 $173,297
Enterprise 5000+ $179,466

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager 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, Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$256,944$124.060%
Financial Services$224,826$108.040%
Pharmaceuticals$216,796$104.035%
Internet$208,767$100.030%
Biotechnology$200,738$97.025%

How Education impacts a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Managers 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 Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $161,912 and $168,930).

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager
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%
View as Graph

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager'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 September 01, 2026
$149,990
Average $160,590/year
$171,490
$12,499
Average $13,383/month
$14,291
$2,884
Average $3,088/week
$3,298
$72
Average $77/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $171,490 $14,291 $3,298 $82
Average $160,590 $13,383 $3,088 $77
25th Percentile $149,990 $12,499 $2,884 $72

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager

Next Role

For a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager, 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.

Most common benefits for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager

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

Common company salaries for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager

Here are companies hiring for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

2. How much does a senior QA engineer make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Senior Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Manager in the US ranges from $156,390 to $182,290 per year, with a mid-salary of $169,190. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data and represent the midpoint of compensation for this role.

3. How much does a QA test engineer earn in USA?

The average salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager in the USA ranges from $156,390 to $182,290, with a mid-salary of $169,190. This reflects the competitive compensation for experienced professionals in this field, highlighting the importance of quality assurance in engineering processes.

4. What is the highest salary in QA?

The highest salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager is $182,290 per year, while the lowest salary is $156,390 per year. The average salary for this role is approximately $169,190 annually.

5. What is the salary of Engineering Manager in Google?

The salary of a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager typically ranges from $156,390 to $182,290 per year, with a mid-salary of $169,190. This range reflects the compensation for professionals in this role, depending on their experience and expertise.

6. Are quality assurance managers in demand?

The demand for Quality Assurance (QA) managers is rapidly increasing, making it a lucrative career option in the tech industry. With salaries ranging from $156,390 to $182,290, this role offers competitive compensation. As companies prioritize quality in their products, skilled QA professionals are becoming essential to ensure standards are met.

7. What is the highest salary for a QA manager?

The highest salary for a Quality Testing and Methods Engineering Senior Manager is $182,290 per year. The average starting salary for a QA Manager in India is around ₹5.5 Lakhs per year, requiring a minimum of 8 years of experience. In comparison, the highest salary for a QA Manager in India can reach ₹89.4 Lakhs per year.

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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