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Showing: U.S. national salary range · USD

25th percentile

83,300

USD / year

Applied: National · United States

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.

Median · 50th percentile

90,200

USD / year

Applied: National · United States

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.

75th percentile

97,565

USD / year

Applied: National · United States

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.

National benchmark. Select a state or province to view a regional estimate.

How regional estimates work

Regional results apply a location percentage to the national benchmarks and round the figures. The same location adjustment is used across roles in that region. These are estimates, not separate local salary surveys. US results are shown in USD and Canadian results in CAD.

See beyond your own hiring market.

TQR brings a cross-market perspective shaped by recruiting across specialized industries. Our salary benchmarks combine that firsthand compensation intelligence with external research through a weighted methodology, helping employers put individual hiring decisions into a broader market context.

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Quality Assurance Specialist Salary in the US

Factors That Affect a Quality Assurance Specialist's Salary

Quality Assurance Specialist compensation can vary based on product complexity, regulatory environment, manufacturing operations, Quality Management System responsibilities, validation experience, audit exposure, FDA and ISO compliance expertise, location, and overall quality responsibilities. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the position supports highly regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, sterile manufacturing, or medical device operations, multiple manufacturing sites, or advanced quality management systems.

Quality Assurance Specialist Job Description:

A Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for supporting the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensuring pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other life sciences products are manufactured in compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and company procedures. This role helps ensure product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence by maintaining effective quality systems throughout the product lifecycle.

Quality Assurance Specialists typically work with Quality Management Systems (QMS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), batch record review, CAPA, deviations, change controls, audits, document control, validation activities, and regulatory compliance programs. Their responsibilities may include reviewing manufacturing documentation, investigating quality events, supporting audits and inspections, monitoring quality metrics, maintaining data integrity, and collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality Control, Engineering, Validation, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and R&D teams.

Quality Assurance Specialists are expected to understand how quality systems directly impact product quality, patient safety, regulatory compliance, manufacturing efficiency, and business performance. Strong candidates typically combine quality systems expertise, regulatory knowledge, analytical thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving ability with a commitment to continuous improvement and compliance excellence.

Common Responsibilities:

Supporting and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with FDA, cGMP/GMP, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Reviewing and approving batch records, manufacturing documentation, SOPs, specifications, quality records, and product release documentation for accuracy and compliance.
Managing deviations, nonconformances, CAPA, change controls, customer complaints, investigations, and risk assessments while supporting continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality Control, Engineering, Validation, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, and R&D teams to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
Monitoring quality metrics, performing trend analysis, supporting root cause investigations, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to improve quality system performance.
Supporting supplier quality activities, incoming material inspections, internal audits, customer audits, regulatory inspections, and ensuring compliance with company quality policies.
Utilizing electronic Quality Management Systems (eQMS), document control systems, quality databases, and reporting tools to maintain documentation, ensure data integrity, generate quality reports, and support regulatory readiness.

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Plan Your Next Hire

Set a salary budget that fits the role

Use the published percentiles to establish a working budget, then choose a target that reflects the contribution you need. The median can anchor an initial discussion; broader responsibilities or more specialized requirements deserve a closer review before you settle on a range.

Confirm what the business can support across salary, incentives, and benefits. Agree on the flexibility available before interviewing, and give the hiring team a clear basis for discussing compensation.

Define the work behind the title

A strong benchmark starts with a well-defined role. Compare these details before applying the salary range:

Scope: Will the person lead a team, manage one facility, or oversee several locations?
Accountability: Which decisions, budgets, projects, customers, or operational results will they own?
Capability: Which skills and qualifications are essential from day one, and which can be developed?
Working arrangements: What schedule, travel, on-site presence, and on-call availability are required?

Match the responsibilities to the appropriate country and industry. If the role combines several functions, seek a more specific assessment rather than relying on the closest title alone.

Build an offer around four essentials

TQR’s salary guides encourage employers to consider compensation, benefits, culture, and opportunity together. Make each part of the offer clear enough for a candidate to evaluate.

Compensation

Separate guaranteed pay from potential incentives. Explain targets, eligibility, payment timing, and how future compensation reviews are handled.

Benefits

Outline health coverage, retirement contributions, paid time off, and other relevant benefits. Explain employee costs, eligibility, and waiting periods.

Culture

Describe the working environment, leadership expectations, communication, and available support. Give candidates a practical understanding of safety, well-being, and day-to-day working conditions.

Opportunity

Show how the person can develop through training, expanded responsibilities, or progression. Be specific about what exists today and what remains a future possibility.

Plan the search before you begin

Align the hiring manager and decision-makers on the role, budget, and essential selection criteria. Set interview stages that answer distinct questions, agree on how candidates will be evaluated, and identify who can approve an offer.

Discuss compensation expectations early. Keep candidates informed as the search progresses, and make sure everyone involved can explain the role and the complete package consistently.

Hiring questions answered

What if the exact job title is not listed?

Compare responsibilities, seniority, and required skills. For a specialized or unusually broad position, discuss the scope with TQR before adopting another role’s benchmark.

What if a candidate requests more than the range?

Review the role’s scope, the candidate’s relevant experience, and the full package. Revisit your budget and internal comparisons before deciding whether the request is appropriate for this hire.

How should I budget for bonuses or commissions?

Build a separate view of guaranteed pay and potential variable compensation. Document the targets and payment conditions. Confirm how each pay component is defined before comparing packages.

How should I compare an offer with my existing team?

Consider employees with comparable responsibilities, relevant skills, and experience. Review any differences in scope and the overall package before setting the offer. Use the external benchmark as one input to that discussion.

Job seekers: view opportunities or submit your résumé.