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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Associate in Illinois is $104,194 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
However, a Quality Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Quality Associate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $112,302 | $9,359 | $2,160 | $54 |
| Average | $104,194 | $8,683 | $2,004 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,440 | $7,787 | $1,797 | $45 |
ESTEVE - Morton Grove, IL
Conexus Food Solutions - Chicago, IL
The Judge Group - Rochelle, IL
Fusion Transport - Romeoville, IL
A Quality Associate'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Associate'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Quality A... Level Quality Associate | $71,326 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Associate | $86,704 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Associate | $104,940 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Associate | $130,924 |
| Quality A... Level Quality Associate | $158,462 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Quality Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Quality Associate 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, Quality Associate positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $114,613 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Business Services | $114,613 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $114,613 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $114,613 | $55.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $114,613 | $55.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Quality Associate'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $112,302 | $9,359 | $2,160 | $54 |
| Average | $104,194 | $8,683 | $2,004 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,440 | $7,787 | $1,797 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Quality Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
HQC
Aurora, IL
HQC | Aurora, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Quality Control Associate. HQC Inc. | Oswego, IL | Full-Time. 3rd Shift: 10:45pm-7:15am. Starting pay $18-20 an hour. Joi... more
6 Days Ago
Jewish Child and Family Services
Northbrook, IL
Jewish Child and Family Services | Northbrook, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Come join our JCFS(Non-Profit) Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) team. Are you a people person and a data person. This... more
6 Days Ago
Confidential
Chicago, IL
Confidential | Chicago, IL
Associate Vice President, External Quality. About the Company. Industry shaping pharmaceutical company. Industry. Pharmaceuticals. Type. Public Company. Fo... more
5 Days Ago
Confidential
Rosemont, IL
Confidential | Rosemont, IL
Associate Vice President of Quality Assurance. About the Company. Dynamic mortgage banking & servicing firm. Industry. Financial Services. Type. Privately ... more
8 Days Ago
AbbVie
North Chicago, IL
AbbVie | North Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. About AbbVie. AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that so... more
8 Days Ago
US Foods
Chicago, IL
US Foods | Chicago, IL
FSQ Associate ManagerThis position is responsible for managing the food safety and quality risks of the designated product categories. The FSQ Associate Ma... more
9 Days Ago
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