Quality Manager Salary in the US
Quality Manager Salary Range
$121,200
$162,500
Low Range
High Range
Midpoint
This salary range represents a national benchmark in USD. Regional salary adjustment factors can be applied below to estimate how compensation may shift by state.
Salary benchmarks are based on a mix of TQR internal data and external market research for specialized manufacturing and technical roles in the U.S.
Quality Manager salaries in the Life Sciences Manufacturing industry typically range from $121,200 to $162,500, with a midpoint of approximately $140,500. Compensation varies based on quality management experience, regulatory expertise, leadership responsibility, manufacturing complexity, validation knowledge, and overall operational accountability.
What the Salary Percentiles Mean
The following range has been generated based on real salary data across North America.
$121,200
$162,500
$121,200
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.
$140,500
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.
$162,500
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 Quality Manager's Salary
Quality Manager compensation can vary based on manufacturing complexity, product portfolio, regulatory requirements, quality system responsibility, leadership scope, facility size, geographic location, and overall organizational accountability. Employers may need to adjust compensation when the position oversees multiple manufacturing sites, highly regulated pharmaceutical or medical device operations, global quality systems, or enterprise-wide compliance initiatives.
Quality Manager Job Description:
A Quality Manager leads the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, diagnostic, and other life sciences products consistently meet regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and company quality standards. This role helps ensure product safety, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement by overseeing quality systems, audits, supplier quality, validation, and quality assurance activities throughout the product lifecycle.
Quality Managers typically oversee Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), supplier quality, audits, CAPA, risk management, document control, validation, and regulatory compliance while collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and cross-functional leadership teams. Their responsibilities may include maintaining Quality Management Systems, managing inspections and audits, supporting product launches, leading quality investigations, monitoring quality metrics, ensuring inspection readiness, and maintaining compliance with FDA, cGMP/GMP, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Quality Managers are expected to understand how quality systems directly impact product safety, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, operational performance, and overall business success. Strong candidates typically combine quality leadership, regulatory expertise, analytical thinking, risk management, communication skills, problem-solving ability, and continuous improvement experience within highly regulated life sciences manufacturing environments.
Common Responsibilities:
Leading and maintaining the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance with FDA, cGMP/GMP, ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and other applicable regulatory, customer, and quality requirements.
Overseeing Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), supplier quality, document control, validation, and quality system activities to ensure consistent product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Managing internal, customer, supplier, and regulatory audits while ensuring timely resolution of audit findings through effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), deviation management, and continuous quality improvements.
Collaborating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Regulatory Affairs, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and cross-functional teams to integrate quality throughout product development, manufacturing, validation, and commercialization activities.
Leading nonconformance investigations, complaint handling, risk management, root cause analysis, change control, and quality improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and operational performance.
Monitoring quality KPIs, supplier performance, validation activities, training compliance, inspection readiness, and quality documentation while maintaining regulatory compliance and supporting successful inspections.
Supporting new product introductions, process validation, technology transfers, supplier qualification, product lifecycle management, and quality strategy while leading, coaching, and developing quality teams to foster a culture of compliance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Explore Current Openings
TQR recruits for specialized roles across industrial automation, manufacturing, packaging, 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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