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The differences between junior quality assurance engineers and quality engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a junior quality assurance engineer and a quality engineer. Additionally, a quality engineer has an average salary of $79,672, which is higher than the $69,173 average annual salary of a junior quality assurance engineer.
The top three skills for a junior quality assurance engineer include java, jira and regression. The most important skills for a quality engineer are corrective action, continuous improvement, and ISO.
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $69,173 | $79,672 |
| Hourly rate | $33.26 | $38.30 |
| Growth rate | - | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 107,440 | 96,838 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
In a manufacturing setting, a junior quality assurance engineer specializes in developing and executing quality assurance test procedures in adherence to the company's standards and regulations. They are typically in charge of reviewing production plans and designs, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of current methods, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures in a timely manner. Furthermore, as a junior quality assurance engineer, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating every quality assurance activity.
A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.
Junior quality assurance engineers and quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average salary | $69,173 | $79,672 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $89,000 | Between $61,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Washington |
| Best paying company | Interactive Brokers | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a junior quality assurance engineer and a quality engineer in terms of educational background:
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between junior quality assurance engineers' and quality engineers' demographics:
| Junior Quality Assurance Engineer | Quality Engineer | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 4% |