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The differences between quality systems managers and quality leads 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 systems manager and a quality lead. Additionally, a quality systems manager has an average salary of $102,625, which is higher than the $90,301 average annual salary of a quality lead.
The top three skills for a quality systems manager include continuous improvement, quality management system and FDA. The most important skills for a quality lead are continuous improvement, product quality, and quality standards.
| Quality Systems Manager | Quality Lead | |
| Yearly salary | $102,625 | $90,301 |
| Hourly rate | $49.34 | $43.41 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 123,519 | 62,018 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A quality systems manager is an individual who monitors the production processes of a manufacturing firm to ensure that factory machinery and people produce goods and products according to the company and industry requirements. Quality systems managers are required to supervise supervisors and inspectors to make sure that quality control measures are carried out properly. They must develop and improve all policies and procedures, which can impact the effectiveness of the company's quality systems. Quality systems managers are also required to coordinate with the top management in formulating company policies.
A quality assurance (QA) lead is responsible for organizing and managing the testing of products prior to its release. Your duties will include defining testing standards and strategies, establishing formal QA processes, and overseeing all aspects of QA, such as using best practices and establishing metrics. Additionally, you are responsible for supervising and mentoring QA team members, and developing and implementing scripts, test cases, and procedures. You are also responsible for managing off quality products and developing and institutionalizing ISO complaints.
Quality systems managers and quality leads have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Quality Systems Manager | Quality Lead | |
| Average salary | $102,625 | $90,301 |
| Salary range | Between $72,000 And $145,000 | Between $63,000 And $127,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a quality systems manager and a quality lead in terms of educational background:
| Quality Systems Manager | Quality Lead | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between quality systems managers' and quality leads' demographics:
| Quality Systems Manager | Quality Lead | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 70.1% Female, 29.9% | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |