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The differences between quality assurance scientists and quality assurance associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quality assurance scientist has an average salary of $68,108, which is higher than the $61,473 average annual salary of a quality assurance associate.
The top three skills for a quality assurance scientist include GMP, FDA and ISO. The most important skills for a quality assurance associate are excellent interpersonal, customer service, and GMP.
| Quality Assurance Scientist | Quality Assurance Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $68,108 | $61,473 |
| Hourly rate | $32.74 | $29.55 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 106,373 | 62,324 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
In a manufacturing setting, a quality assurance scientist specializes in utilizing scientific procedures in ensuring that products adhere to a company's quality standards and policies. Their responsibilities include developing quality control procedures, conducting experiments and analysis, identifying areas needing improvement, implementing solutions in problem areas, and maintaining detailed records of results. Furthermore, as a quality assurance scientist, it is essential to keep an active communication line with the quality assurance team, coordinating every step of the way for an efficient and safe workflow.
A quality assurance associate's role is to oversee the production operations in a manufacturing plant or a similar setting, ensuring quality standards throughout the entire process. Most of the time, a quality assurance associate must perform workforce assessments, provide training to new employees, produce or approve documentation and progress reports, and collaborate with colleagues to ensure that everything is running smoothly and complies with the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, there are instances when one must address issues and concerns, providing them with the necessary corrective measures.
Quality assurance scientists and quality assurance associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Assurance Scientist | Quality Assurance Associate | |
| Average salary | $68,108 | $61,473 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $93,000 | Between $44,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Central Islip, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Lantheus | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a quality assurance scientist and a quality assurance associate in terms of educational background:
| Quality Assurance Scientist | Quality Assurance Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 77% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Biology | Accounting |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between quality assurance scientists' and quality assurance associates' demographics:
| Quality Assurance Scientist | Quality Assurance Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.8% Female, 52.2% | Male, 48.3% Female, 51.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 15.2% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 11% |