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The differences between product quality managers and laboratory managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a product quality manager and a laboratory manager. Additionally, a product quality manager has an average salary of $117,932, which is higher than the $74,314 average annual salary of a laboratory manager.
The top three skills for a product quality manager include continuous improvement, data analysis and project management. The most important skills for a laboratory manager are lab equipment, patients, and customer service.
| Product Quality Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $117,932 | $74,314 |
| Hourly rate | $56.70 | $35.73 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 145,282 | 43,321 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Product Quality Manager's job is to inspect the quality of products to ensure that they are built with compliance and meet customer expectations. They are thorough and observant of every detail of the product. Product Quality Manager's are responsible for understanding the customer's needs to develop effective quality control processes. They also devise and review the specs of the processes or product, set requirements for intermediate products for monitor compliances. They also ensure adherence to health and safety guidelines.
Laboratory managers provide accurate laboratory diagnosis through evaluating specimen procedures and coordinating with pathologists to validate laboratory findings. They are responsible for maintaining laboratory tools and equipment, ensuring the proper sterilization of instruments before and after use, organizing equipment based on its function, and immediately repairing or replacing defective items. A laboratory manager also secures the confidentiality of laboratory systems, keeping records of results, and releasing information to the appropriate personnel. Laboratory managers must have a broad knowledge of the scientific industry, as well as excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.
Product quality managers and laboratory managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Product Quality Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Average salary | $117,932 | $74,314 |
| Salary range | Between $81,000 And $169,000 | Between $49,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Apple | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a product quality manager and a laboratory manager in terms of educational background:
| Product Quality Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between product quality managers' and laboratory managers' demographics:
| Product Quality Manager | Laboratory Manager | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.6% Female, 21.4% | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 69.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 70.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |