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Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary in the United States

How much does a Specialist Quality Control Analyst make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Specialist Quality Control Analyst in the United States is $125,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

However, a Specialist Quality Control Analyst's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $148,124
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,190 to $137,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $103,993

Key Factors That Influence Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salaries

A Specialist Quality Control Analyst'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 Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Specialist Quality Control Analyst'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:

  • Intermediate Quality Control Analyst (2-4 years): $81,068
  • Quality Control Analyst III, Biological/Chemical (4-7 years): $98,948
  • Specialist Quality Control Analyst (7+ years): $125,326
  • Expert Quality Control Analyst (7-10 years): $135,144
  • Inspection/Testing Team Lead (10+ years): $84,055
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intermediate Quality Control Analyst2-4 years$81,068
Quality Control Analyst III, Biological/Chemical4-7 years$98,948
Specialist Quality Control Analyst7+ years$125,326
Expert Quality Control Analyst7-10 years$135,144
Inspection/Testing Team Lead10+ years$84,055

Top Paying Cities for Specialist Quality Control Analysts

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: $158,090
  • San Francisco: $156,390
  • Oakland: $153,090

What Skills Can Increase a Specialist Quality Control Analyst's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.82% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Construction Management (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Construction management (CM) is a professional service that uses specialized, project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction of a project, from its beginning to its end. The purpose of CM is to control a project's time / delivery, cost and quality—sometimes referred to as a project management triangle or "triple constraints." CM is compatible with all project delivery systems, including design-bid-build, design-build, CM At-Risk and Public Private Partnerships. Professional construction managers may be reserved for lengthy, large-scale, high budget undertakings (commercial real estate, transportation infrastructure, industrial facilities, and military infrastructure), called capital projects.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.82%
Microsoft Office 2.37%
Construction Management 1.24%

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 Specialist Quality Control Analyst's salary.

  • Microbiology: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
  • Project Control: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Microbiology $151,722
21%
Project Control $147,960
18%
Risk Management $144,199
15%

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Specialist Quality Control Analyst salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,129. While startup companies pay approximate $118,534.

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $118,534
Growth Stage 51~500 $125,362
Established 501~5000 $135,312
Enterprise 5000+ $140,129

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Specialist Quality Control Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Specialist Quality Control Analyst positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Specialist Quality Control Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Specialist Quality Control Analyst

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$163,007$78.030%
Pharmaceuticals$150,468$72.020%
Software & Networking$150,468$72.020%
Financial Services$137,929$66.010%
Chemicals$131,660$63.05%

How Education impacts a Specialist Quality Control Analyst's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Specialist Quality Control Analysts enter the field with a Associate'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 Specialist Quality Control Analyst with a Associate's Degree is between $116,906 and $126,653).

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Specialist Quality Control Analyst
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.0%
High School 8.0%
Associates 8.0%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 24.0%
Doctorate 8.0%

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Specialist Quality Control Analyst'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
$114,190
Average $125,390/year
$137,290
$9,516
Average $10,449/month
$11,441
$2,196
Average $2,411/week
$2,640
$55
Average $60/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $137,290 $11,441 $2,640 $66
Average $125,390 $10,449 $2,411 $60
25th Percentile $114,190 $9,516 $2,196 $55

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Specialist Quality Control Analyst, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Specialist Quality Control Analyst Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Construction Engineering Inspection Services Manager $107,800 -14%
Food Safety & Compliance Supervisor $102,600 -18%
Expert Quality Control Analyst $135,200 8%

Most common benefits for Specialist Quality Control Analyst

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

Common company salaries for Specialist Quality Control Analyst

Here are companies hiring for Specialist Quality Control Analyst and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Specialist Quality Control Analyst

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Specialist Quality Control Analyst?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Specialist Quality Control Analyst roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Is QA Analyst an entry level job?

This position is not typically considered entry-level, as it requires specialized skills and experience in quality control analysis. The salary range for a Specialist Quality Control Analyst is between $109,990 and $142,590, reflecting the expertise needed in this role. Successful candidates will collaborate with analysts and stakeholders to ensure quality standards are met.

3. What is the highest salary for a QA analyst?

The highest salary for a Specialist Quality Control Analyst is $142,590. The salary range for this position typically starts at a minimum of $109,990 and can go up to a maximum of $142,590, with a mid-level salary of $127,790. This reflects the competitive compensation in the quality assurance field.

4. Which country pays highest salary for QA?

The highest salaries for Specialist Quality Control Analysts are found in the USA, with a range from $109,990 to $142,590 annually. This surpasses many other countries, making the USA a top destination for QA professionals seeking competitive compensation.

5. How much do quality control inspectors make in the US?

Quality Control Analysts in the US earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $109,990, a mid-range salary of $127,790, and a maximum of $142,590 per year. This reflects the specialized skills and expertise required in the field, significantly higher than the average earnings of quality control inspectors.

6. How much do QA QC engineers make in the US?

As of now, the salary for a Specialist Quality Control Analyst in the United States ranges from $109,990 to $142,590 annually, with a median salary of $127,790. This translates to approximately $52.88 to $68.49 per hour, or about $9,166 to $11,882 monthly.

7. What education is required to be a quality control specialist?

Many quality control specialist jobs require a bachelor's degree in a related field such as life sciences or chemistry. Entry-level positions may be available for those with an associate's degree. Salaries for Specialist Quality Control Analysts range from $109,990 to $142,590, with a median salary of $127,790.

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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