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Job outlook for quality improvement specialists in the United States
Quality improvement specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected quality improvement specialist job growth rate is 28% from 2018-2028.
About 136,200 new jobs for quality improvement specialists are projected over the next decade.
Quality improvement specialist salaries have increased 9% for quality improvement specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,634 quality improvement specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 80,504 active quality improvement specialist job openings in the US.
The average quality improvement specialist salary is $67,474.
Are quality improvement specialist jobs in demand?
Quality improvement specialist job and salary trends over time
Quality improvement specialist jobs over time
Quality improvement specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,634 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,224 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,125 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,620 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,123 | 0.00% |
Average quality improvement specialist salary over time
Quality improvement specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $67,474 | $32.44 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | $64,905 | $31.20 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $63,385 | $30.47 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $62,917 | $30.25 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $62,046 | $29.83 | +1.3% |
Quality improvement specialist jobs by state
Most common states for quality improvement specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 352 | 51% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 358 | 27% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 192 | 25% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 211 | 22% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 642 | 21% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 396 | 21% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,109 | 20% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 214 | 20% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 127 | 20% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,178 | 19% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 602 | 19% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 142 | 19% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 108 | 19% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,845 | 18% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,547 | 18% |
| 16 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,119 | 17% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,194 | 16% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 881 | 16% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 679 | 16% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 137 | 16% |
Most common cities for quality improvement specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $57,273 |
| 2 | Needham | 2 | 7% | $85,298 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $61,492 |
| 4 | Grand Rapids | 3 | 2% | $69,966 |
| 5 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $85,252 |
| 6 | Flint | 2 | 2% | $70,612 |
| 7 | Lansing | 2 | 2% | $70,308 |
| 8 | Springfield | 2 | 2% | $65,709 |
| 9 | Orlando | 2 | 1% | $58,028 |
| 10 | Providence | 2 | 1% | $63,339 |
| 11 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $58,596 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $56,648 |
| 13 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $85,310 |
| 14 | Houston | 2 | 0% | $75,084 |
| 15 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $57,771 |
| 16 | Tucson | 2 | 0% | $58,431 |
Quality Improvement Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of quality improvement specialist experts
University of Richmond
University of Central Arkansas
New Mexico State University
Concordia University Irvine
The City College of New York
Concordia University Irvine
Whatcom Community College
What soft skills should all Quality Improvement Specialists possess?
Keith Webb: Oral and written communication skills are critical. Also, the ability to work within a team orientation, flexibility, and adaptability, to name a few.
Anthony McMullen
Associate Professor of Business Law and Director of Forensics, vUniversity of Central Arkansas
Accounting Department
What skills stand out on Quality Improvement Specialist resumes?
Anthony McMullen: This will depend on the specific field. Business is an incredibly broad area. Anyone with a business type of degree will at least obtain basic knowledge in accounting, economics, finance, management, and marketing. These skills should be highlighted. But when thinking about a resume, workers should think about (and participate in) experiences that allow them to use these skills. And once they have these experiences, they should be able to articulate how they used these skills on a resume. Don't just say, "I did ______." Say, "I used _________ in order to accomplish __________."
What skills will help Quality Improvement Specialists earn the most?
Anthony McMullen: Acquiring a specialty is great, but specialization should not come at the expense of a broad and diverse knowledge base. Within specialized fields, many people will have the training/education to do the job, but what makes a particular person special? What will give that person the chance to branch out or to think about other avenues to accomplish the task? That will help workers maximize opportunities.
Argie Hernandez
Division AdvisorNew Mexico State University
Business & Public Services
What type of skills will young Quality Improvement Specialists need?
Argie Hernandez: -Problem Solving
-Computer skills
-Writing and Communication
-Critical Thinking
-Team Player (very important)
What experience really stands out on Quality Improvement Specialist resumes?
Dr. Drew Wolf: Leadership - Illustrating the experience in taking the lead on a project or successfully managing others is one attribute that stands out on a resume in the business world today. Along those lines, resume bullet points can include accomplishments as a leader in business. Don't just tell the employee where they worked and illustrate why you were valuable to the company.
How do you envision technology impacting Quality Improvement Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Drew Wolf: The impact of technology is one of the reasons leadership is significant to a resume. As more business is conducted away from the office and via virtual meetings, companies look for candidates independent of constant supervision; an applicant who shows initiative and the ability to prioritize and get things done is a valuable employee in today's technology-fueled business world.
What Quality Improvement Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Nagler: A gap year might be the right move for some students, especially if the online environment is not for them. Fortunately, I know of students who have obtained great online internships, jobs, and other opportunities that allow them to grow their experience during the pandemic. Many companies are seeking online talent to build out products and marketing strategies.
Kim Chatani
Assistant ProfessorConcordia University Irvine
School of Business & Economics
How would you rate the starting salaries for Quality Improvement Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Kim Chatani: Starting salaries will continue to increase but will be more dictated by supply and demand for the skill sets that graduates will provide. The current COVID 19 pandemic has put traditional thinking on its head. Employers will be evaluating employee skills in a multi-dimensional plane, competency, mobility, and transferability.
What type of skills will young Quality Improvement Specialists need?
Jim Drinkwine: Employers consistently say they want graduates with strong people skills. While technical skills are good, being able to work effectively in group settings is more important. I hear from students all the time about how much they dislike group projects for several reasons. However, the topic of the group project isn't as crucial as the teamwork skills you develop as a part of this type of learning. Take every opportunity you can to develop strong skills in interpersonal communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.