How to hire a quality assurance scientist

How to hire a quality assurance scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step quality assurance scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a quality assurance scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new quality assurance scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a quality assurance scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The quality assurance scientist hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A quality assurance scientist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, quality assurance scientists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents quality assurance scientist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Quality Assurance Scientist	Description	Hourly rate
   Quality Assurance Scientist		$23-44
   Chemist	Chemists are generally responsible for observing and investigating chemical substances to create new and safe compounds essential for practical applications. They are often grouped depending on a particular area of specialization to focus and understand the complexities of the matter... Show more	$22-43
   Research And Development Chemist	A research and development chemist primarily works at laboratories to conduct extensive tests and experiments aiming to develop new products and technologies. Although the extent of their duties may vary, it typically revolves around conducting research and studies, observing chemical reactions, maintaining records and databases, collaborating with fellow experts, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of existing components or mixtures... Show more	$25-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GMP
   • FDA
   • ISO
   • Data Analysis
   • Microbiology
   • CAPA
   • Test Methods
   • Analytical Methods
   • Lab Equipment
   • CFR
   • Troubleshoot
   • Test Procedures
   • HPLC
   • Technical Reports

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage a LIMS system for electronic entering, maintaining and retrieval of sample data and quality management.
   • Manage investigation reports for equipment maintenance and calibration OOS.
   • Evaluate all microbiology standard operating procedures for compliance to applicable regulations; GMP, USP, EP, and JP.
   • Record results using the LIMS system and release final batches.
   • Investigate when non-conformance results (OOS, OOT) are observed and document findings.
   • Operate sophisticated computer-control instrument like HPLC, GC-MS.

   More quality assurance scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your quality assurance scientist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A quality assurance scientist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a quality assurance scientist in New Jersey may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level quality assurance scientist usually earns less than a senior-level quality assurance scientist. Additionally, a quality assurance scientist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average quality assurance scientist salary

   $68,108yearly

   $32.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level quality assurance scientist salary

   $49,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average quality assurance scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$85,143	$41
   2	Washington	$82,831	$40
   3	California	$78,151	$38
   4	Wisconsin	$77,961	$37
   5	Maryland	$76,377	$37
   6	Massachusetts	$75,521	$36
   7	Connecticut	$75,360	$36
   8	Virginia	$69,884	$34
   9	Minnesota	$68,580	$33
   10	Indiana	$66,169	$32
   11	Texas	$65,195	$31
   12	Puerto Rico	$63,418	$30
   13	Florida	$56,843	$27
   14	Missouri	$51,697	$25
   15	New Jersey	$51,547	$25

   Average quality assurance scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Lantheus	$80,706	$38.80	4
   2	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$79,175	$38.06	116
   3	Los Alamos National Laboratory	$77,999	$37.50	24
   4	Promega	$74,138	$35.64	7
   5	Neutrogena	$73,916	$35.54
   6	AECOM	$72,808	$35.00	63
   7	Invagen Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$71,586	$34.42
   8	Eurofins	$71,119	$34.19	162
   9	BACHEM HOLDING	$70,268	$33.78	5
   10	Fits Inc	$70,120	$33.71
   11	Altria	$69,699	$33.51
   12	Lilly & Company	$69,540	$33.43	85
   13	Sigma-Aldrich	$69,016	$33.18
   14	E. & J. Gallo Winery	$69,010	$33.18	2
   15	FIT	$68,800	$33.08
   16	Frito-Lay	$67,875	$32.63
   17	Passy-Muir	$67,028	$32.23
   18	Zoetis	$66,304	$31.88	42
   19	Randstad North America, Inc.	$64,895	$31.20	5
   20	Meridian Bioscience	$62,831	$30.21	1

4. Writing a quality assurance scientist job description

   A quality assurance scientist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a quality assurance scientist job description:

   Quality assurance scientist job description example

   What We Offer
   
   * Comprehensive Medical Insurance - Including a generous company contribution to a Health Savings Account ($600 individual & $1,200 Family)
   * Prescription Drug Coverage, Dental, and Vision Insurance. We also offer Life and even Pet Insurance
   * Legal Assistance
   * Short-term and Long-Term Disability Protection
   * 16 weeks paid Maternity and Paternity leave
   * 401k -automatic 3% company contribution with additional 100% company match for an additional 6%
   * 3 weeks of paid-vacation to start (prorated in the first year)
   * 12 company-paid holidays annually
   * Wellness Program - Earn credits receive a total of $500 Premium Differential
   * On-site employee gym
   * Career Development Program - Learn and grow at IFF
   * Tuition Reimbursement potential of over $5,000 per year
   * Employee Assistance Programs for both employee and family members
   * Shift Premiums
   * Company-sponsored holiday party and seasonal events
   
   What our pay and schedule looks like
   
   * 1.5x pay for Sundays
   * 3x pay for company holidays
   * 8-hour shift Monday-Friday
   * Work one weekend every 7 weeks
   
   Who We Are
   
   We are IFF. We are the catalyst for discoveries that spark the senses and transform the everyday. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. is a leading innovator of sensorial experiences that move the world. At the heart of our company, we are fueled by a sense of discovery, constantly asking "what if?" That passion for exploration drives us to co-create unique scents and tastes in fine fragrances and beauty, detergents and household goods, as well as beloved foods and beverages.
   
   Where science and creativity meet.
   
   Join our team!
   
   Job Requirements
   
   Quality Scientists utilize documented analytical chemistry and microbiological testing methods to support the production of enzymes for a variety of industrial markets.
   
   Essential Duties and Responsibilities
   
   * Reagent and media preparation
   * Sample management
   * Analytical and microbiological testing
   * Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting lab equipment including pH meters, auto analyzers, HPLCs, autoclaves, and pipets
   * Managing special projects/programs
   
   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
   
   * Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology or similar field
   * Strong written and verbal communication skills
   * The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
   * Basic computer skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office
   * Willing and able to work overtime, including weekends and holidays, as needed
   * Aseptic technique
   * Accurate data entry
   * Adhere to lab hygiene and safety practices
   
   Working Conditions
   
   Our Quality team works independently and collaboratively with all areas of the production process to manufacture quality products for a variety of industries. We strive to foster a fun and efficient work environment.
   
   Want to find out more about us?
   
   Please visit IFF.com/careers to learn more.
   
   At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace.
   
   Nearest Major Market: Madison

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find quality assurance scientists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any quality assurance scientists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level quality assurance scientists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your quality assurance scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit quality assurance scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with quality assurance scientist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new quality assurance scientist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the quality assurance scientist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a quality assurance scientist?