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Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salary in California

How much does a Quality Assurance Engineering Manager make in California?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Assurance Engineering Manager in California is $145,206 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $70.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $155,263
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,647 to $150,470
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $119,304

Key Factors That Influence Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salaries

A Quality Assurance Engineering 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Assurance Engineering 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:

  • Quality Assurance Engineer V (7-10 years): $165,838
  • Quality Assurance Engineering Supervisor (10+ years): $124,223
  • Quality Assurance Engineering Manager (10+ years): $145,206
  • Quality Assurance Engineering Senior Manager (10+ years): $177,041
  • Quality Assurance Engineering Director (10+ years): $216,102
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Quality Assurance Engineer V7-10 years$165,838
Quality Assurance Engineering Supervisor10+ years$124,223
Quality Assurance Engineering Manager10+ years$145,206
Quality Assurance Engineering Senior Manager10+ years$177,041
Quality Assurance Engineering Director10+ years$216,102

Top Paying Cities for Quality Assurance Engineering Manager

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:

  • Los Angeles: $145,456
  • West Hollywood: $145,350
  • Dodgertown: $145,454

Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Quality Assurance Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $162,549. While startup companies pay approximate $137,513.

Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $137,513
Growth Stage 51~500 $145,436
Established 501~5000 $156,970
Enterprise 5000+ $162,549

Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Assurance Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Quality Assurance Engineering Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Assurance Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Quality Assurance Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$197,469$95.050%

Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Assurance Engineering 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 August 01, 2026
$131,647
Average $145,206/year
$150,470
$10,971
Average $12,100/month
$12,539
$2,532
Average $2,792/week
$2,894
$63
Average $70/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $150,470 $12,539 $2,894 $72
Average $145,206 $12,100 $2,792 $70
25th Percentile $131,647 $10,971 $2,532 $63

Quality Assurance Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Quality Assurance Engineering Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Quality Assurance Engineering Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,041 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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