Post job

Quality manager vs director of quality

The differences between quality managers and directors of quality 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 manager and a director of quality. Additionally, a director of quality has an average salary of $134,435, which is higher than the $91,357 average annual salary of a quality manager.

The top three skills for a quality manager include continuous improvement, corrective action and quality standards. The most important skills for a director of quality are healthcare, quality improvement, and patients.

Quality manager vs director of quality overview

Quality ManagerDirector Of Quality
Yearly salary$91,357$134,435
Hourly rate$43.92$64.63
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs63,42265,443
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4848
Years of experience66

What does a quality manager do?

A quality manager is an individual who is responsible for ensuring that the level of quality of the company's product outputs is met for customers. Quality managers monitor and evaluate the internal production process so that they can produce statistical reports on the standard of quality and communicate them to upper management. To ensure health and safety standards, quality managers must create and maintain up-to-date product or process specifications. They also train employees on quality assurance standards and processes.

What does a director of quality do?

In the manufacturing industry, a director of quality is primarily in charge of spearheading and overseeing the daily operations in a quality assurance department. They work to ensure that products adhere to the company's quality standards and industry regulations by conducting research and assessments, developing quality test systems, and reviewing reports. As a director of quality, they have the authority to make significant decisions, establish protocols and guidelines, set objectives and timelines, and implement rules and policies, creating new ones as necessary.

Quality manager vs director of quality salary

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

Quality ManagerDirector Of Quality
Average salary$91,357$134,435
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $128,000Between $98,000 And $183,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CAPortland, OR
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaGoogle
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between quality manager and director of quality education

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

Quality ManagerDirector Of Quality
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Quality manager vs director of quality demographics

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

Quality ManagerDirector Of Quality
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 72.1% Female, 27.9%Male, 65.2% Female, 34.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between quality manager and director of quality duties and responsibilities

Quality manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve TS16949 accreditation during the year.
  • Plan and manage UAT test cycles with the business.
  • Manage six sigma projects concerning Sidematch claims savings $130K annually.
  • Manage drug product, API and component release for clinical and commercial.
  • Manage UAT testing, including consolidation and report out to management on test results.
  • Utilize ITAR knowledge and manage vital certifications and registrations (UL, CSA, military / aerospace).
  • Show more

Director of quality example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage internal QMS audit and corrective and preventive action processes.
  • Manage the transition to a campus AS9100 certification for all major Aero sites.
  • Manage functional and system testing activities, API customization and RDMBS tools testing teams.
  • Lead teams from design concept and team feasibility commitment through product launch and PPAP.
  • Lead targeted staff training and development of CMS, AHCA, and DOEA guidelines and regulations.
  • Lead a team of engineers and operations personnel to introduce 6 new alpha products into mfg.
  • Show more

Quality manager vs director of quality skills

Common quality manager skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Corrective Action, 6%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Product Quality, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Quality Management System, 4%
Common director of quality skills
  • Healthcare, 8%
  • Quality Improvement, 5%
  • Patients, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%
  • Patient Safety, 4%
  • Continuous Improvement, 4%

Browse executive management jobs