Quality improvement manager vs continuous improvement manager

The differences between quality improvement managers and continuous improvement 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 quality improvement manager and a continuous improvement manager. Additionally, a continuous improvement manager has an average salary of $99,644, which is higher than the $78,698 average annual salary of a quality improvement manager.

The top three skills for a quality improvement manager include quality improvement, performance improvement and patients. The most important skills for a continuous improvement manager are lean six sigma, sigma, and continuous improvement.

Quality improvement manager vs continuous improvement manager overview

	Quality Improvement Manager	Continuous Improvement Manager
Yearly salary	$78,698	$99,644
Hourly rate	$37.84	$47.91
Growth rate	28%	6%
Number of jobs	78,509	154,463
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	47	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does a quality improvement manager do?

A quality improvement manager has a variety of duties and responsibilities. These include conducting research and creating quality improvement programs, developing standard operating procedures and facility policies, and performing audits to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Additionally, you will be responsible for establishing work plan metrics, analyzing performance metrics, and monitoring various department processes such as care complaints in the healthcare setting. You are also expected to review the latest industry data, clinical quality studies, and best practice interventions.

What does a continuous improvement manager do?

A Continuous Improvement Manager initiates and facilitates lean improvement programs and activities. They ensure that progress is maintained on an ongoing basis.

Quality improvement manager vs continuous improvement manager salary

Quality improvement managers and continuous improvement managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Quality Improvement Manager	Continuous Improvement Manager
Average salary	$78,698	$99,644
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $111,000	Between $74,000 And $133,000
Highest paying City	San Rafael, CA	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Oregon	New Jersey
Best paying company	Portland General Electric	Google
Best paying industry	Insurance	Technology

Differences between quality improvement manager and continuous improvement manager education

There are a few differences between a quality improvement manager and a continuous improvement manager in terms of educational background:

	Quality Improvement Manager	Continuous Improvement Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Nursing	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Quality improvement manager vs continuous improvement manager demographics

Here are the differences between quality improvement managers' and continuous improvement managers' demographics:

	Quality Improvement Manager	Continuous Improvement Manager
Average age	47	44
Gender ratio	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%	Male, 81.4% Female, 18.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	10%

Differences between quality improvement manager and continuous improvement manager duties and responsibilities

Quality improvement manager example responsibilities.

Manage CAPA, document control, internal audit, complaint handling, and training programs.
Manage 12 FDA and EMA inspections ensuring efficient management of observations, corrective action commitment and completion.
Manage HEDIS medical record review project and validation activities complete by auditors.
Lead and direct the organization's accreditation survey preparation for rehabilitation facilities organizations.
Serve as health plan subject matter expert for HEDIS specifications and NCQA standards and guidelines in preparation for health plan accreditation.
Coordinate annual HEDIS reporting including oversight of vendor data collection, analysis and auditing.

Continuous improvement manager example responsibilities.

Lead many CI workshops with Toyota consultants.
Manage all admission & billing submission processes for long term care patients.
Lead SMED event, reducing change over from 1 hour to 10 minutes.
Facilitate and lead CPI events with chosen teams, SMEs, stakeholders, and commanders.
Manage the factory and product work in progress to meet production goals using an MRP system.
Manage and report daily on the KPI tracker and report weekly to the director of the region.

Quality improvement manager vs continuous improvement manager skills

Common quality improvement manager skills

Quality Improvement, 7%
Performance Improvement, 6%
Patients, 5%
Oversight, 5%
Process Improvement, 5%
Patient Care, 5%

Common continuous improvement manager skills

Lean Six Sigma, 10%
Sigma, 9%
Continuous Improvement, 9%
Lean Manufacturing, 8%
Project Management, 6%
Kaizen Events, 4%

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Quality Improvement Manager
Quality Improvement Manager vs Continuous Improvement Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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