Qa Validation Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Qa Validation Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Qa Validation Specialist in the United States is $113,614 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, a Qa Validation Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,432
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $104,997 to $122,417
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $97,152

Key Factors That Influence Qa Validation Specialist Salaries

A Qa Validation Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Qa Validation 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: $143,301
  • San Francisco: $141,732
  • Oakland: $138,745

What Skills Can Increase a Qa Validation Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 6.07% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 3.04% 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.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 6.07%
Microsoft Office 3.04%
Calibration 2.13%

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 Qa Validation Specialist's salary.

  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analytical Skills $118,159
4%
Critical Thinking $117,022
3%
Integrity $117,022
3%

Qa Validation Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Qa Validation Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Qa Validation Specialist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Qa Validation Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Qa Validation Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$159,060$76.040%
Pharmaceuticals$147,698$71.030%
Software & Networking$142,018$68.025%
Energy & Utilities$136,337$66.020%
Telecom$130,656$63.015%

How Education impacts a Qa Validation Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Qa Validation Specialists 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 Qa Validation Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $110,060 and $114,362).

Qa Validation Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Qa Validation Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 4.3%
Associates 7.2%
Bachelors 55.1%
Masters 30.4%
Doctorate 2.9%

Qa Validation Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Qa Validation 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 September 01, 2026
$104,997
Average $113,614/year
$122,417
$8,750
Average $9,468/month
$10,201
$2,019
Average $2,185/week
$2,354
$50
Average $55/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $122,417 $10,201 $2,354 $59
Average $113,614 $9,468 $2,185 $55
25th Percentile $104,997 $8,750 $2,019 $50

Most common benefits for Qa Validation Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Qa Validation Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Qa Validation Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Qa Validation Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Qa Validation Specialist?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Qa Validation Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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