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Job outlook for quality administrators in the United States
Quality administrator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected quality administrator job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 7,100 new jobs for quality administrators are projected over the next decade.
Quality administrator salaries have increased 12% for quality administrators in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,350 quality administrators currently employed in the United States.
There are 108,778 active quality administrator job openings in the US.
The average quality administrator salary is $46,100.
Are quality administrator jobs in demand?
Quality administrator job and salary trends over time
Quality administrator jobs over time
Quality administrator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,350 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,063 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,203 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,102 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,881 | 0.00% |
Average quality administrator salary over time
Quality administrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,100 | $22.16 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $44,698 | $21.49 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $43,808 | $21.06 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $42,621 | $20.49 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $41,164 | $19.79 | +3.4% |
Quality administrator jobs by state
Most common states for quality administrators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 382 | 28% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,206 | 22% |
| 3 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 678 | 22% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,186 | 21% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 159 | 21% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 209 | 20% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 191 | 20% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 150 | 20% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 124 | 20% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 356 | 19% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,867 | 18% |
| 12 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 126 | 18% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,156 | 17% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,123 | 17% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 723 | 17% |
| 16 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,104 | 16% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 559 | 16% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 506 | 16% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 90 | 16% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,379 | 15% |
Most common cities for quality administrators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | 1 | 2% | $48,961 |
| 2 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $55,687 |
| 3 | Livonia | 1 | 1% | $58,192 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 1 | 1% | $55,633 |
| 5 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $56,957 |
| 6 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $60,764 |
| 7 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $56,186 |
| 8 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $47,487 |
| 9 | San Jose | 1 | 0% | $59,506 |
Quality Administrator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of quality administrator experts
Ohio University
Wesleyan College
Tarleton State University
University of Illinois at Chicago
DePaul University
Virginia Commonwealth University
International Association of Administrative Professionals
American College of Health Care Administrators
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Administrator job market given the pandemic?
Greg Kessler Ph.D.: I think the biggest trends we are likely to see include an increased acceptance and reliance upon online and virtual immersive technologies. Previously, only a handful of faculty felt comfortable using technologies beyond the simplest tools. Now that we are forced to interact with one another online more and more, people will want to be able to feel more like they are sharing a space with others. This would be supported by simulated immersive technologies such as virtual reality. While VR is somewhat familiar to people now, it will likely take on more diverse forms. These will also incorporate a variety of artificial intelligence that can help by performing automated assessments and providing automated feedback to students as they interact with content. If you think of movies like Ready Player One, you can imagine the kind of thing I am referring to.
What skills stand out on Quality Administrator resumes?
Greg Kessler Ph.D.: I am not sure that there are any particular skills that stand out on resumes, but familiarity with instructional design principles should be considered to be very valuable. I also think that knowledge of multimedia principles, social media, and various forms of virtual and immersive experiences. Also, knowledge of AI and the other things I referred to in the trends above.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Administrator?
Virginia Wilcox: Go into this knowing every single person you encounter was once in your shoes...new, confused, anxious, worried, etc.
The quickest way to make a friend is to ask for help. Everyone (even the most hardened) likes feeling needed and/or appreciated.
So...even if it's as minor as asking for advice on what color to use on the bulletin board or as major as asking for ideas on how to engage an unruly student...
ASK someone not only will you get the assistance you need, you will make their day...AND...you may find that you've made an invaluable step toward a new friendship.
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy
Assistant ProfessorTarleton State University
Public Administration
What general advice would you give to a Quality Administrator?
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy: My advice to graduates would be this: do not sell yourself short by taking a job at a lower level than you have to or a job that does not fully utilize your education. Otherwise, why did you spend the time and money, and effort to get your degree? I think many graduates assume that having a degree in a job where it is not required (but preferred) makes them more valuable as employees. I think the opposite is true. I think it devalues their worth to an organization and just makes them cheaper and more replaceable, especially when employers know that they can pay someone less to do the same job if they run into a budget crunch.
If having a degree is considered a plus for a job rather than a necessity, it actually makes their degree less valuable as a perk than if it were a requirement. If a degree is necessary to do a job, then the time, effort, and expense obtaining it was worthwhile because it was necessary to do that job, and also, the employer knows that they have to compensate employees for those costs. There is nothing wrong with working your way up, paying your dues, etc. but starting at a lower rung just makes a longer, harder climb to the top. They may have upward mobility more than somebody without a degree, but they will be compensated less than they are worthwhile waiting for something better to manifest. I would exhort graduates to start as high as they can and not settle for underemployment. Find a job where your knowledge, skills, and abilities are put to complete use, and the degree you earned to get those assets is not wasted or unfairly compensated.
What Quality Administrator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jacqueline Abernathy: I think this piggybacks a little bit on what I said above on finding a way to distinguish oneself from the competition. Anything done during a gap year would hopefully yield some knowledge, skill, or ability that can be listed as a bullet point on their resume that others may not have. Suppose a student just wants to travel to China for a while and see the Great Wall. "Back-packed in the Orient" would not be a resume bullet but "conversational in Mandarin" would be. To a lesser extent, "Cultural competency with Chinese colleagues and associates" would be, and if asked, the student could explain their familiarity with Chinese customs and etiquette came from extensive time abroad. That might give the students an advantage in certain jobs, but just being able to speak another language could be a job in itself, like as a translator. Whatever a student does during a gap year, ideally, they should walk away with a skill that someone will pay for.
Unfortunately, because of economic realities, a lot of students just take the year off to work and they work in a job where a year of experience won't necessarily count for much (if anything) when they graduate with their expected degree. This goes for both high school graduates and college graduates taking a break before their next degree. I've read the arguments about the benefits of taking a gap year, but aside from students that are on a waiting list for a prestigious program who just have time to kill, I personally find the concept of a gap year to be ill-advised as a general rule, more so between an undergraduate degree and masters or masters and doctorate. Often times the pitfalls outweigh the benefits at any stage. It just presents an opportunity for life to get in the way of something a student knows they want to do, or it delays it. Someone fresh out of high school taking a gap year to get a skill that they think will benefit them in their career after graduation might find themselves in a completely different career by the time they graduate. And university graduates who plan to further their education- taking a break or just working for a while before graduate school can put them at a disadvantage. Taking a break makes graduate school potentially harder once they have gotten used to living without that stress, the transition back to a student can be unnecessarily difficult than if they went straight through.
Those who start their career with a bachelor's degree when they know they need more than can make life choices and financial commitments that are very difficult to keep in grad school. Perhaps they financed a car or became invested in a project they don't want to abandon but would have easier with a master's degree. Or they start a family and now have to juggle caring for and providing for their family with getting the next degree they need when caring for family would have likely been easier if they had an advanced degree. My bachelor's degree was in social work and many of my classmates decided that they just wanted to work for a while before attending grad school, only to find their return to school delayed and all of the experience they gain with that license not translating into an advantage after they graduated and were looking for a job with the higher license. Essentially many of them just had to play catch-up to those that went straight through and started their career at a higher level. Starting at one level when you know that you need the next level can just be lost time, especially since starting with a bang would only put off working for two years to get the next degree.
I had classmates that intended to go back after a year or two, but by the time they intended to return, they fell in love, got married, had beautiful babies, and all of these blessings meant that they couldn't walk away from a job and health insurance to study full-time. This meant it was harder and took far longer and increased their time working for lower pay, whereas if they hadn't taken a break, they would be working full-time at a higher pay with no classes to juggle. I'm not suggesting that people put off life until school is done or delay marriage, children, or buying a home in favor of going back to school if that is their next step in life, only that they can't assume that it'll be easy to just pick up where they left off if they choose to wait.
Less fortunate things can happen as well, like health crises and caregiving, developing an illness, or having to care for aging parents. These things would have been easier if they have chosen to go straight through. These are some reasons why I think taking a gap year is risky. But if anybody wants to take a gap year, I would be conscientious not to commit to anything that would delay returning to school or not make up for that time by giving them a competitive edge. Otherwise, a year off can easily turn into a decade and it can just add up to lost time.
What type of skills will young Quality Administrators need?
James R. Thompson Ph.D.: Graduates with communication and data analysis skills will be able to command a premium in the public administration job market. Communication skills include written and oral communication and mastery of new technologies that facilitate the creation of relationships across sectors and between governments and citizens. Data analysis includes, in particular, a facility in the interpretation of large data sets.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Administrators?
James R. Thompson Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic has made apparent the vital role the government plays in addressing society's larger problems. It will attract new people to the field of public administration and strengthen the commitment of those already in the field to their careers.
What skills stand out on Quality Administrator resumes?
Dr. Anna Frank: First, a degree from a highly respected university. Our graduates have been highly sought after. Experience working with a variety of individuals in a variety of settings is significant. Future professionals must then be committed to social justice, how are explicit in supporting the health and recreational needs of ALL individuals, not just those who can purchase a Peloton.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Administrators to find work opportunities?
Dr. Anna Frank: This was on ZipRecruiter-outdoor jobs.
Try the Top Five
If location isn't a factor in your outdoor job search, then consider heading to one of the top five states who offer the most employment opportunities to be had under the sun (and stars). Those are:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. New York
5. North Carolina
How would you rate the starting salaries for Quality Administrators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.: While MPA students are not drawn to public service by high salaries, it is reasonable to expect remuneration, which respects their credentials and experience. Many students are mid-level careerists and are likely to remain in their jobs where an advanced degree may improve their opportunities for advancement, and others may be looking for a career change. Also, a cohort of students moving from undergraduate to graduate degrees with internships is common.
These groups likely present varying degrees of salary requirements and qualifications. In the federal service, an MPA qualifies as one at the GS-9 entry-level. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes salary tables at Link The beginning salary varies by location from $53K to $61K, with the higher amount near large metropolitan areas. Higher salaries are common in overseas areas. Progression is based on performance with opportunities to achieve salaries of $150K and over at the executive levels. Overall, beginning salaries for the MPA considering nonprofits and government agencies is estimated at $53K.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Administrator?
Dr. Richard Huff Ph.D.: I believe opportunities for employment will begin to open up with a transition in the federal government over the next year or two. While local government and nonprofits will continue to offer opportunities for MPA graduates, I believe the federal government will have urgent needs for talent, given its aging workforce, retirements, and its neglect over the past four years.
I advise graduates to begin considering federal careers, but for whatever sector they choose to shift from micro concerns about management, behavior and work outcomes, and organization structure and operations, and begin to look toward the macro or "big picture." A macro view concerns changes brought on by external environmental forces, which shape our institutions over time. With so many external forces at work today, such as a global pandemic, technological change, ongoing climate change, political trends, and social upheavals, the involvement of public administrators is critical to maintaining our institutions and steadying government response. I encourage students to think critically but also to think big and pursue their passions. Public service is a noble calling. Set your sights high and pursue opportunities that match them.
How do you envision technology impacting Quality Administrators in the next 5 years?
Veronica Cochran: Technology will continue to change the nature of work and how work actually gets done for every profession and professional. In particular, it will enable administrative professionals to increase organization and prioritization, optimize performance, and improve efficiency and effectiveness. Technology will support our connectivity - further empowering collaboration, inclusion and teamwork. It will help administrative professionals better manage projects through shared accountability, allowing us to track and evaluate our progress to optimize desired outcomes in real-time.
What type of skills will young Quality Administrators need?
Veronica Cochran: Those entering the administrative profession in the upcoming years will find it beneficial to understand what it means to be a strategic partner to their direct manager/supervisor, department, and organization at-large. As strategic partners, their role will extend beyond being a support person. It will involve strategically aligning oneself to fulfilling the organization's mission and vision while achieving business outcomes and success. The following skills will optimize both professional and organizational effectiveness:
1. Time management and organization
2. High EQ and interpersonal communication
3. Leadership effectiveness and accountability
4. Relationship management - (high inclusion capacity and high collaboration)
5. Problem-solving and innovation
6. Strategic planning and adaptability
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Administrators to find work opportunities?
Veronica Cochran: I would urge graduates to not simply focus on locations or organizations with the highest salary or most job or promotion opportunities. The key to remaining engaged and creating value is finding an organization that supports your core beliefs and values.
Second to that, I believe a support network is vital to one's professional development and success. That being said, I have had the opportunity to engage administrative professionals throughout the United States and across the globe. In particular, I came across larger networks in New York, D.C., Alabama, California, and Texas.
If they are looking for a place to start, I believe Zippia's list of Best States for an Administrative Assistant is a great starting point.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Administrator?
Bill McGinley: LTC administrators should have at least a bachelor's degree in business or a healthcare-related field. A well-rounded internship that exposes the future administrator to all aspects of the operation is essential. Needed skills include business, marketing, finance, operations, management and leadership.
Post pandemic opportunities will be nationwide in this field with a greater need in rural areas.
Technology will continue to play a big role in the field. Computerized medical records, census management, and all clinical areas will continue to dominate. Online meetings are liable to continue as well, as employers realize that there is a savings to be gained by not having people travel to meetings and conferences.