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Job outlook for principal quality engineers in the United States
Principal quality engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected principal quality engineer job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 30,600 new jobs for principal quality engineers are projected over the next decade.
Principal quality engineer salaries have increased 6% for principal quality engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 77,100 principal quality engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 120,965 active principal quality engineer job openings in the US.
The average principal quality engineer salary is $103,677.
Are principal quality engineer jobs in demand?
Principal quality engineer job and salary trends over time
Principal quality engineer jobs over time
Principal quality engineer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77,100 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 75,516 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 76,219 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 73,233 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 69,517 | 0.02% |
Average principal quality engineer salary over time
Principal quality engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $103,677 | $49.84 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $102,593 | $49.32 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $101,451 | $48.77 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $100,099 | $48.12 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $98,269 | $47.24 | +1.0% |
Principal quality engineer jobs by state
Most common states for principal quality engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 283 | 41% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 205 | 33% |
| 3 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,270 | 31% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,679 | 30% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,775 | 29% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,348 | 28% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 374 | 28% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 273 | 28% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,078 | 26% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,397 | 25% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,148 | 24% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,407 | 23% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,514 | 22% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 432 | 22% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 230 | 22% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,710 | 21% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,507 | 21% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 763 | 21% |
| 19 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 359 | 21% |
| 20 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,306 | 20% |
Most common cities for principal quality engineers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dover | 2 | 5% | $96,856 |
| 2 | Redondo Beach | 2 | 3% | $117,770 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $96,498 |
| 4 | Irvine | 4 | 2% | $116,723 |
| 5 | Boulder | 2 | 2% | $97,968 |
| 6 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $96,537 |
| 7 | Chandler | 2 | 1% | $117,388 |
| 8 | Tempe | 2 | 1% | $117,495 |
| 9 | Urban Honolulu | 2 | 1% | $92,908 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $89,429 |
| 11 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $96,995 |
| 12 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $111,798 |
| 13 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $93,888 |
| 14 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $117,719 |
| 15 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $114,555 |
| 16 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $102,448 |
| 17 | Anchorage | 1 | 0% | $96,870 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $96,432 |
Principal Quality Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of principal quality engineer experts
Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Northern Illinois University
Oklahoma State University
North Dakota State University
Clarkson University
Wichita State University
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
Jerry Gintz CMfgE
Teaching ProfessorArizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
Manufacturing Engineering
What will help Principal Quality Engineers increase their earning potential?
Jerry Gintz CMfgE: From a manufacturing engineering perspective, compensation is normally tied to capability so the more relevant skills a candidate has entering the workforce the higher compensation they can expect to receive. This is especially true in manufacturing given the shortage of qualified engineering talent available for hire. Additionally, consider focusing on industrial automation as a resource to aid efficient production. Manufacturing is always looking to increase efficiency and a foundational knowledge of industrial automation systems will serve you well as you build a career in manufacturing engineering.
What general advice would you give to a Principal Quality Engineer?
Theodore Hogan PhD, CIH: Engineering Technology B.S. graduates apply both engineering knowledge and industrial management skills to practical problem solving. The day-to-day work includes collaborating with management and line workers to troubleshoot issues along with planning and implementing process improvements. More experienced Engineering Technology graduates apply these people and problem-solving skills to manage traditional engineers and general business operations.
What general advice would you give to a Principal Quality Engineer?
Guiping Hu Ph.D.: People like the diversity and flexibility of being an industrial engineer. You can work on all kinds of problems with your industrial engineering skills. However, if you are only looking for a very narrow area in a specific engineering discipline, industrial engineering may not be right for you since we focus on system efficiency improvement and welfare of the workers.
What will help Principal Quality Engineers increase their earning potential?
Guiping Hu Ph.D.: Industrial Engineers design, build, and improve production systems. As IEs, we focus on both the quality of what is made and how it is made. Industrial Engineering is a very inclusive, diverse, and dynamic discipline. Whether it is shortening a roller-coaster line, streamlining an operating room, distributing products world wide or manufacturing superior automobiles, all share the common goal of reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorNorth Dakota State University
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department
What skills will help Principal Quality Engineers earn the most?
Dr. David Grewell Ph.D.: Good communication and leadership skills that are embedded in their curriculum enable IE's to quickly move up the corporate ladder and become the CEO of the nation's leading companies.
What technical skills for a Principal Quality Engineer stand out to employers?
Tracy Farrell: Technical skills that employers are seeking include "real" computer skills like Microsoft Office Suite tools, proper communication skills via email and website development and postings, developing proper document format that is appropriate to send to stakeholders (i.e., letter formatting, report writing, email formatting); strong communication skills that include speaking professionally and respectfully to stakeholders as well as writing professionally (i.e., making eye contact when speaking, proper handshake, respectful dialogue including questioning); project management - knowing how to organize work and develop a timeline that includes who will be responsible for what and follow through; data analysis - being able to not only present data in an organized and understandable manner; but, be able to interpret data correctly offering the justification behind what they are interpreting and why.
Respectfully, today's graduates do not understand that being able to text and use social media does not prepare them for "real" computer skills. Many students that I have in high school and in college do not have proper writing skills, document formatting skills, or document management skills to know how to save documents properly and where to save to.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What experience really stands out on Principal Quality Engineer resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.
James Swisher
Director of Continuing EducationInstitute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
What general advice would you give to a Principal Quality Engineer?
James Swisher: It's truly an exciting time to be an Industrial and Systems Engineer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects demand for ISEs to grow by 10% over the next ten years, which is much faster than the rate for all occupations. Firms across a broad range of industries will continue to focus on the skills that ISEs bring to improve efficiencies, enhance quality, and lower costs. In addition, ISEs bring skills in the related fields of big data, artificial intelligence, and project management that make them extremely valuable to organizations. ISEs ability to quickly make an impact in an organization also means that their potential for promotion is very good. It's a great profession to be in.