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The differences between manufacturing quality engineers and quality leads can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a manufacturing quality engineer, becoming a quality lead takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a quality lead has an average salary of $90,301, which is higher than the $89,693 average annual salary of a manufacturing quality engineer.
The top three skills for a manufacturing quality engineer include continuous improvement, corrective action and sigma. The most important skills for a quality lead are continuous improvement, product quality, and quality standards.
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Quality Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $89,693 | $90,301 |
| Hourly rate | $43.12 | $43.41 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 111,968 | 62,018 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A manufacturing quality engineer is in charge of designing and developing quality control programs to meet the standard procedures and products of a company. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current programs and systems, identifying the needs of manufacturing plants and its workforce, and upgrading existing systems. One may also address issues and concerns, performing corrective measures as needed. Furthermore, as a manufacturing quality engineer, it is essential to conduct regular inspections to maintain a safe and efficient work environment for everyone.
A quality assurance (QA) lead is responsible for organizing and managing the testing of products prior to its release. Your duties will include defining testing standards and strategies, establishing formal QA processes, and overseeing all aspects of QA, such as using best practices and establishing metrics. Additionally, you are responsible for supervising and mentoring QA team members, and developing and implementing scripts, test cases, and procedures. You are also responsible for managing off quality products and developing and institutionalizing ISO complaints.
Manufacturing quality engineers and quality leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Quality Lead | |
| Average salary | $89,693 | $90,301 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $122,000 | Between $63,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pleasanton, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a manufacturing quality engineer and a quality lead in terms of educational background:
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Quality Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between manufacturing quality engineers' and quality leads' demographics:
| Manufacturing Quality Engineer | Quality Lead | |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 8% |