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The differences between test managers and quality assurance managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a test manager, becoming a quality assurance manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a quality assurance manager has an average salary of $99,894, which is higher than the $92,297 average annual salary of a test manager.
The top three skills for a test manager include QA, project management and java. The most important skills for a quality assurance manager are continuous improvement, product quality, and corrective action.
| Test Manager | Quality Assurance Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $92,297 | $99,894 |
| Hourly rate | $44.37 | $48.03 |
| Growth rate | - | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 27,489 | 62,293 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 44 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A test manager is responsible for supervising the content of test activities and ensuring that the scope meets the test requirements. Test managers monitor the test process and determine the accurate strategies to establish efficient methods for the success of test deliveries. They also identify the resources according to quality standards and budget limitations. A test manager oversees the technical controls of the test processes and measures the quality of tools and applications for optimal automation.
A Quality Assurance Manager's responsibility varies on the organization or industry where one is assigned. Most of the time, the duties will revolve around quality control, such as overseeing a company's manufacturing operations, ensuring that the process followed all of the necessary protocols, and the products met all of the standards in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, one must be able to detect and identify mistakes, conduct constant inspections, coordinate with various staff and supervisors, develop the workforce's quality by training employees, and come up with strategies that will help the company attain financial gains.
Test managers and quality assurance managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Manager | Quality Assurance Manager | |
| Average salary | $92,297 | $99,894 |
| Salary range | Between $71,000 And $119,000 | Between $70,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Finance |
There are a few differences between a test manager and a quality assurance manager in terms of educational background:
| Test Manager | Quality Assurance Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between test managers' and quality assurance managers' demographics:
| Test Manager | Quality Assurance Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3% | Male, 67.1% Female, 32.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |