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The differences between managers, software quality assurance and quality assurance directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a manager, software quality assurance, becoming a quality assurance director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a quality assurance director has an average salary of $140,937, which is higher than the $122,736 average annual salary of a manager, software quality assurance.
The top three skills for a manager, software quality assurance include software quality, software development and test cases. The most important skills for a quality assurance director are continuous improvement, quality standards, and oversight.
| Manager, Software Quality Assurance | Quality Assurance Director | |
| Yearly salary | $122,736 | $140,937 |
| Hourly rate | $59.01 | $67.76 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 108,570 | 66,888 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Software Quality Assurance Managers are responsible for overseeing the entire development process of software in ensuring they comply with the organization's standards. Their duties include implementing test case documentation, conducting a document risk analysis, recording test results, perform automated test coding, determine product quality benchmarks, and streamlining testing processes. Besides that, they are involved in identifying software bugs, discovering user problems, assessing product features, analyzing user interface functionality, and researching new technologies.
The job of a quality assurance (QA) director is to oversee all QA functions across the company. Your duties typically include working closely with other department heads to deliver high-quality products on time, hiring managers and analysts, and establishing and maintaining a quality system to make sure that company guidelines and regulatory standards are met. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring quality by monitoring, appraising job results, and planning. You are also expected to maintain technical and professional knowledge by reviewing professional publications, participating in professional associations, and attending workshops.
Managers, software quality assurance and quality assurance directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manager, Software Quality Assurance | Quality Assurance Director | |
| Average salary | $122,736 | $140,937 |
| Salary range | Between $92,000 And $163,000 | Between $97,000 And $203,000 |
| Highest paying City | Napa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Upstart Network | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Professional |
There are a few differences between a manager, software quality assurance and a quality assurance director in terms of educational background:
| Manager, Software Quality Assurance | Quality Assurance Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Computer Science | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between managers, software quality assurance' and quality assurance directors' demographics:
| Manager, Software Quality Assurance | Quality Assurance Director | |
| Average age | 44 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.0% Female, 27.0% | Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2% |
| 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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |