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Quality supervisor vs quality engineer

The differences between quality supervisors and quality engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a quality supervisor, becoming a quality engineer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a quality engineer has an average salary of $79,672, which is higher than the $60,486 average annual salary of a quality supervisor.

The top three skills for a quality supervisor include continuous improvement, ISO and corrective action. The most important skills for a quality engineer are corrective action, continuous improvement, and ISO.

Quality supervisor vs quality engineer overview

Quality SupervisorQuality Engineer
Yearly salary$60,486$79,672
Hourly rate$29.08$38.30
Growth rate3%10%
Number of jobs61,40096,838
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4842
Years of experience64

What does a quality supervisor do?

A quality supervisor is an individual who manages and implements the quality assurance and control systems of a company to ensure the proper execution of products and customer satisfaction. Quality supervisors oversee a team of quality control analysts and train them on the latest product standards. They must make sure that customers are pleased with the finished product by communicating with them and setting realistic expectations. Quality supervisors must also provide reports on quality metrics to the other members of the management team.

What does a quality engineer do?

A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions. They also must be able to communicate effectively with the clients for feedbacks and corrective adjustments, address complaints, and immediately resolve any inconsistencies made.

Quality supervisor vs quality engineer salary

Quality supervisors and quality engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Quality SupervisorQuality Engineer
Average salary$60,486$79,672
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $84,000Between $61,000 And $103,000
Highest paying CityRichmond, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyIntuitive SurgicalMeta
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between quality supervisor and quality engineer education

There are a few differences between a quality supervisor and a quality engineer in terms of educational background:

Quality SupervisorQuality Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Quality supervisor vs quality engineer demographics

Here are the differences between quality supervisors' and quality engineers' demographics:

Quality SupervisorQuality Engineer
Average age4842
Gender ratioMale, 66.6% Female, 33.4%Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 13.9% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%4%

Differences between quality supervisor and quality engineer duties and responsibilities

Quality supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Lead the TS16949 implementation team.
  • Research and involve respective departments to achieve immediate corrective/preventative action response to pertinent customer and internal CAPA's, as required.
  • Maintain effective work instructions and operating procedures for inspection, operations and supplier quality assurance per ISO requirements.
  • Develop KPIs for suppliers and document progress.
  • Participate in hosting customer, governmental, third party certifying body plant visits and perform all GMP internal audits.
  • Prepare documentation and training for ISO re-certification audits.
  • Show more

Quality engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead internal and customer 8D iniatives using the 6-Sigma DMAIC approach to problem solving.
  • Manage and develop QA lab personnel, ensuring reliable food safety and manufacturing quality support.
  • Give guidance to Apple/Asian SQE's and supplier QA, insuring that all quality requirements are being addressed and achieve.
  • Lead interdisciplinary teams in addressing and resolving problems utilizing Kaizen event , 8D, and 5-why to arrive at root cause.
  • Lead project to develop and implement quality and environmental management systems to achieve & maintain ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certification.
  • Manage aerospace resolver manufacturing transfer from out-of-state acquisition.
  • Show more

Quality supervisor vs quality engineer skills

Common quality supervisor skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 7%
  • ISO, 6%
  • Corrective Action, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Food Safety, 4%
  • Product Quality, 3%
Common quality engineer skills
  • Corrective Action, 7%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • ISO, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Sigma, 4%
  • Product Quality, 4%

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