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Total Quality Programs Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Total Quality Programs Director make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Total Quality Programs Director in the United States is $199,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.

However, a Total Quality Programs Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $224,699
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $184,290 to $212,590
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $170,633
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View as table View as graph 25% $184,290 10% $170,633 90% $224,699 75% $212,590 $199,290 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Total Quality Programs Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $212,590 $17,716 $4,088 $102
Average $199,290 $16,608 $3,833 $96
25th Percentile $184,290 $15,358 $3,544 $89
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Key Factors That Influence Total Quality Programs Director Salaries

A Total Quality Programs Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Total Quality Programs Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Total Quality Programs Director'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:

  • Lean/Six Sigma Programs Manager (5+ years): $134,808
  • Lean Six Sigma Programs Senior Manager (5+ years): $173,162
  • Total Quality Programs Director (5+ years): $199,285
  • VP of Lean Six Sigma Process (5+ years): $254,987
  • SVP of Lean Six Sigma Process (5+ years): $318,705
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Lean/Six Sigma Programs Manager5+ years$134,808
Lean Six Sigma Programs Senior Manager5+ years$173,162
Total Quality Programs Director5+ years$199,285
VP of Lean Six Sigma Process5+ years$254,987
SVP of Lean Six Sigma Process5+ years$318,705
$134,808 Lean/Six ...
$173,162 Lean Six ...
$199,285 Total Qua...
$254,987 VP of Lea...
$318,705 SVP of Le...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Total Quality Programs Director 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 Total Quality Programs Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $220,650.
  • California: $219,820.
  • Massachusetts: $216,890.

Top Paying Cities for Total Quality Programs Directors

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: $251,360
  • San Francisco: $248,890
  • Oakland: $243,370

What Skills Can Increase a Total Quality Programs Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.66% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Quality Control (Mentioned in 3.18% Job Postings): Developing and implementing a set of procedures intended to maintain the quality of a product and reduce any risks or errors.
  • Infection Control (Mentioned in 1.63% Job Postings): Infection control is the discipline concerned with preventing nosocomial or healthcare-associated infection, a practical (rather than academic) sub-discipline of epidemiology. It is an essential, though often underrecognized and undersupported, part of the infrastructure of health care. Infection control and hospital epidemiology are akin to public health practice, practiced within the confines of a particular health-care delivery system rather than directed at society as a whole. Anti-infective agents include antibiotics, antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals and antiprotozoals. Infection control addresses factors related to the spread of infections within the healthcare setting (whether patient-to-patient, from patients to staff and from staff to patients, or among-staff), including prevention (via hand hygiene/hand washing, cleaning/disinfection/sterilization, vaccination, surveillance), monitoring/investigation of demonstrated or suspected spread of infection within a particular health-care setting (surveillance and outbreak investigation), and management (interruption of outbreaks). It is on this basis that the common title being adopted within health care is "infection prevention and control."
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.66%
Quality Control 3.18%
Infection Control 1.63%
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 Total Quality Programs Director's salary.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • HACCP: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment
$213,240
7%
HACCP
$213,240
7%
Presentation
$213,240
7%
Product Quality
$211,247
6%
Project Management
$209,255
5%
Auditing
$209,255
5%
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Total Quality Programs Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Total Quality Programs Director'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

Total Quality Programs Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Total Quality Programs Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Lean Six Sigma Process role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $254,990 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Total Quality Programs Director

Salaries for a Total Quality Programs Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $177,668 in 2023 to around $171,163 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Total Quality Programs Director salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Total Quality Programs Director Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$177,668
2024
$176,778
2025
$171,163
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $177,668
2024 $176,778
2025 $171,163
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Total Quality Programs Director

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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FAQ about Total Quality Programs Director

1. What does a quality director do?

A quality assurance director ensures high-quality products are delivered on time and within budget. This role oversees systems, processes, and initiatives to address quality issues. Directors collaborate with internal partners responsible for compliance and production. The salary for this position ranges from $188,310 to $228,770, with a midpoint of $207,520.

2. Do directors get paid well?

Directors can earn significantly more than the median wage for producers and directors. For example, a Total Quality Programs Director has a salary range with a minimum of $188,310, a mid-point of $207,520, and a maximum of $228,770. This indicates that directors in specialized roles can command high salaries, well above the general median of $82,510.

3. How much does a director make us?

The salary for a Total Quality Programs Director ranges from $188,310 to $228,770 annually, with a midpoint of $207,520. This reflects a specialized role that typically commands higher compensation compared to general director positions, which average around $104,991 per year.

4. How much more should a VP make than a director?

A Total Quality Programs Director typically earns between $188,310 and $228,770 annually, with a midpoint of $207,520. In comparison, a VP generally earns more, reflecting the increased responsibilities and leadership roles. The difference in salary can vary, but VPs often earn significantly higher than directors, aligning with industry standards.

5. What is the average bonus for a director?

The average bonus for a Total Quality Programs Director is approximately $20,752, which represents about 10% of their salary. With 65% of individuals reporting receiving a bonus annually, directors earn between $188,310 and $228,770, depending on experience and location.

6. How many hours do directors work?

On average, Total Quality Programs Directors often exceed the typical 40-hour workweek, frequently working 50 to 70 hours, especially during critical project phases. Their schedules can be highly irregular, with long hours dedicated to ensuring quality standards are met, reflecting their significant responsibilities and a salary range of $188,310 to $228,770.

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.)

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