Quality improvement manager vs quality assurance director

The differences between quality improvement managers and quality assurance directors 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 quality assurance director. Additionally, a quality assurance director has an average salary of $140,937, 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 quality assurance director are continuous improvement, quality standards, and oversight.

Quality improvement manager vs quality assurance director overview

	Quality Improvement Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Yearly salary	$78,698	$140,937
Hourly rate	$37.84	$67.76
Growth rate	28%	3%
Number of jobs	78,509	66,888
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	47	48
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 quality assurance director do?

The job of a quality assurance (QA) director is to oversee all QA functions across the company. Your duties typically include working closely with other department heads to deliver high-quality products on time, hiring managers and analysts, and establishing and maintaining a quality system to make sure that company guidelines and regulatory standards are met. Additionally, you will be responsible for ensuring quality by monitoring, appraising job results, and planning. You are also expected to maintain technical and professional knowledge by reviewing professional publications, participating in professional associations, and attending workshops.

Quality improvement manager vs quality assurance director salary

Quality improvement managers and quality assurance directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Quality Improvement Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Average salary	$78,698	$140,937
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $111,000	Between $97,000 And $203,000
Highest paying City	San Rafael, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Alaska
Best paying company	Portland General Electric	Upstart Network
Best paying industry	Insurance	Professional

Differences between quality improvement manager and quality assurance director education

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

	Quality Improvement Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Nursing	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Quality improvement manager vs quality assurance director demographics

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

	Quality Improvement Manager	Quality Assurance Director
Average age	47	48
Gender ratio	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%	Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2%
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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	8%

Differences between quality improvement manager and quality assurance director 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.

Quality assurance director example responsibilities.

Manage the USDA inspection process including coordinating daily production and communicating with federal personnel.
Manage initial USDA regulatory visits, working collaboratively with USDA inspectors leading audit preparation and follow-up activities and reports.
Direct and coordinate quality and regulatory affairs activities to support new product development, improving GMP compliance.
Provide GxP support and oversight for all Genocea development programs.
Set and execute vision for QRM consistent with corporate objectives and ICH Q9.
Develop and update metrics within the QMS to provide meaningful feedback to stakeholders.

Quality improvement manager vs quality assurance director skills

Common quality improvement manager skills

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

Common quality assurance director skills

Continuous Improvement, 8%
Quality Standards, 7%
Oversight, 5%
Test Automation, 5%
Scrum, 4%
FDA, 4%

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Quality Improvement Manager
Quality Improvement Manager vs Quality Assurance Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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