Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist in the United States is $99,046 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $113,760
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,819 to $106,748
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,507

Key Factors That Influence Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist Salaries

A Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist'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 Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $67,803
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,423
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $99,756
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,450
  • Expert (over 8 years): $150,652
Levels Salary
Quality A... Level Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist$67,803
Quality A... Level Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist$82,423
Pharmaceu... Level Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist$99,756
Quality A... Level Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist$124,450
Quality A... Level Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist$150,652

Top Paying Cities for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialists

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: $124,927
  • San Francisco: $123,559
  • Oakland: $120,955

What Skills Can Increase a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 4.19% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.11% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 1.46% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 4.19%
Packaging 2.11%
Product Quality 1.46%

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 Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist's salary.

  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Improvement $103,008
4%
Computer Science $103,008
4%
Project Management $103,008
4%

Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$108,951$52.010%
Business Services$108,951$52.010%
Construction$108,951$52.010%
Energy & Utilities$108,951$52.010%
Healthcare$108,951$52.010%

How Education impacts a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialists 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 Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $100,752 and $105,909).

Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 12.9%
High School 12.9%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 57.6%
Masters 23.5%
Doctorate 0.6%

Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist'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 October 01, 2026
$88,819
Average $99,046/year
$106,748
$7,402
Average $8,254/month
$8,896
$1,708
Average $1,905/week
$2,053
$43
Average $48/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,748 $8,896 $2,053 $51
Average $99,046 $8,254 $1,905 $48
25th Percentile $88,819 $7,402 $1,708 $43

Most common benefits for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist

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

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FAQ about Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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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