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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 September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Total Quality Programs Director in the United States is $199,380 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): $224,789
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $184,370 to $212,680
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $170,704
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

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): $134,858
  • Lean Six Sigma Programs Senior Manager (5+ years): $173,253
  • Total Quality Programs Director (5+ years): $199,372
  • VP of Lean Six Sigma Process (5+ years): $255,135
  • SVP of Lean Six Sigma Process (5+ years): $319,032
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Lean/Six Sigma Programs Manager5+ years$134,858
Lean Six Sigma Programs Senior Manager5+ years$173,253
Total Quality Programs Director5+ years$199,372
VP of Lean Six Sigma Process5+ years$255,135
SVP of Lean Six Sigma Process5+ years$319,032
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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: $220,750.
  • California: $219,910.
  • Massachusetts: $216,980.

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: $251,470
  • San Francisco: $248,720
  • Oakland: $243,480

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."
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.66%
Quality Control 3.18%
Infection Control 1.63%
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 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 $213,337
7%
HACCP $213,337
7%
Presentation $213,337
7%
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Total Quality Programs Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Total Quality Programs Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,815. While startup companies pay approximate $188,479.

Total Quality Programs Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $188,479
Growth Stage 51~500 $199,336
Established 501~5000 $215,157
Enterprise 5000+ $222,815

Total Quality Programs Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Total Quality Programs Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Total Quality Programs Director positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Total Quality Programs Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Total Quality Programs Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$249,225$120.025%
Financial Services$239,256$115.020%
Aerospace & Defense$229,287$110.015%
Software & Networking$229,287$110.015%
Biotechnology$219,318$105.010%

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 September 01, 2026
$184,370
Average $199,380/year
$212,680
$15,364
Average $16,615/month
$17,723
$3,546
Average $3,834/week
$4,090
$89
Average $96/hour
$102
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $212,680 $17,723 $4,090 $102
Average $199,380 $16,615 $3,834 $96
25th Percentile $184,370 $15,364 $3,546 $89

Total Quality Programs Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Total Quality Programs Director

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Advancement

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 $255,190 - a projected growth of 28% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Total Quality Programs Director

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

Common company salaries for Total Quality Programs Director

Here are companies hiring for Total Quality Programs Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Total Quality Programs Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Total Quality Programs Director?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Total Quality Programs Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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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