QA Specialist Salary in Canada
QA Specialist Salary Range
$63,730
$79,880
Low Range
High Range
Midpoint
This salary range represents a national benchmark in CAD. Regional salary adjustment factors can be applied below to estimate how compensation may shift by province or territory.
Salary benchmarks are based on a mix of TQR internal data and external market research for specialized manufacturing and technical roles in Canada.
QA Specialist salaries in the Packaging Manufacturing industry typically range from $63,730 to $79,880, with a midpoint of $70,370. Compensation varies based on quality assurance experience, inspection and testing expertise, ISO and regulatory compliance knowledge, audit participation, CAPA experience, and overall responsibility for maintaining product quality and Quality Management System compliance.
What the Salary Percentiles Mean
The following range has been generated based on real salary data across North America.
$63,730
$79,880
$63,730
25th percentile
Employees in this section often have a lower level of experience or skills and
are still growing into their role. This role may also be at a small to medium-sized business.
$70,370
50th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate the required level of experience plus many skills that are deemed an asset. This role is likely at a medium-sized business.
$79,880
75th percentile
Employees in this section typically demonstrate a higher-level of expertise and/or enhanced qualifications. They should also have a proven track record and cultural fit. This role is likely at a larger business.
Regional Salary Adjustments
Salary ranges can vary by region based on cost of living, labor competition, industry concentration, and talent availability. The map below shows regional adjustment factors that can be applied to the national salary benchmark as a directional guide.
Factors That Affect a QA Specialist Salary
QA Specialist compensation can vary based on manufacturing experience, quality systems expertise, regulatory knowledge, product testing experience, audit participation, and continuous improvement responsibilities. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the role includes ISO compliance, GMP, FDA, HACCP, BRCGS, supplier quality, advanced testing methods, or responsibility for customer quality initiatives.
QA Specialist Job Description:
A QA Specialist supports the Quality Management System (QMS) within a packaging manufacturing environment by ensuring products, materials, and manufacturing processes consistently meet customer specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. This role helps companies improve product quality, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and operational performance through inspections, testing, documentation, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
QA Specialists often work closely with Production, Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies. Their work may include performing product inspections and testing, monitoring manufacturing processes, investigating quality issues, conducting root cause analysis, maintaining quality documentation, supporting audits, monitoring calibration activities, and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA). In a manufacturing environment, the role combines technical quality knowledge with analytical skills, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration.
QA Specialists are expected to understand how quality performance impacts customer satisfaction, product compliance, operational efficiency, and business success. Strong candidates typically combine quality assurance expertise with problem-solving ability, data analysis, communication skills, and continuous improvement knowledge to reduce defects, strengthen quality systems, and support manufacturing excellence.
Common Responsibilities:
Performing incoming, in-process, and final product inspections to ensure compliance with customer specifications and quality standards.
Monitoring manufacturing processes, conducting product testing, sampling, and quality verification using established inspection procedures.
Investigating quality issues, performing root cause analysis (RCA), and supporting corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
Maintaining quality documentation, inspection reports, SOPs, specifications, nonconformance reports (NCRs), and quality records.
Supporting compliance with ISO, GMP, FDA, HACCP, BRCGS (where applicable), customer requirements, and company quality systems.
Participating in internal, customer, supplier, and regulatory audits while supporting timely resolution of audit findings.
Monitoring calibration activities and ensuring inspection and testing equipment remain accurate and compliant.
Analyzing quality data and identifying opportunities to improve product quality, reduce defects, and enhance manufacturing performance.
Supporting new product introductions, process validations, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Providing quality guidance and training on inspection methods, quality procedures, documentation, and best manufacturing practices.
Explore Current Openings
TQR recruits for specialized roles across packaging, industrial automation, manufacturing, food production, life sciences, and related technical markets. Current openings may include engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and plant leadership roles.
View current opportunities or submit your resume to be considered for future roles that match your background.
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