Validation manager vs validation specialist

The differences between validation managers and validation specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a validation manager, becoming a validation specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a validation manager has an average salary of $127,882, which is higher than the $91,034 average annual salary of a validation specialist.

The top three skills for a validation manager include project management, QC and FDA. The most important skills for a validation specialist are GMP, FDA, and IQ/OQ/PQ.

Validation manager vs validation specialist overview

	Validation Manager	Validation Specialist
Yearly salary	$127,882	$91,034
Hourly rate	$61.48	$43.77
Growth rate	3%	3%
Number of jobs	14,200	2,812
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	48	43
Years of experience	6	4

What does a validation manager do?

A Validation Manager oversees and validates manufacturing plants' daily operations, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations. They often inspect information technology systems and machinery, review specifications and documentation, gather and analyze feedback, and observe various areas' maintenance procedures. It is also their responsibility to manage validation teams, supervising them while implementing policies and regulations. Moreover, a Validation Manager develops validation plans for various facilities and produces detailed reports, along with recommendations and conclusions.

What does a validation specialist do?

A validation specialist participates in validation, calibration, and temperature mapping activities. You will perform various tasks that include measuring software or instrument performance, establishing and maintaining methods for controlling the manufacturing process, and developing efficient ways to analyze data and monitor product performance. As a validation specialist, you are responsible for developing and testing algorithms and performing failure analysis and software and hardware debugging. You are also expected to work closely with senior engineers to improve the quality assurance and development process.

Validation manager vs validation specialist salary

Validation managers and validation specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Validation Manager	Validation Specialist
Average salary	$127,882	$91,034
Salary range	Between $99,000 And $163,000	Between $68,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	California
Best paying company	Meta	AQR Capital Management
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Manufacturing

Differences between validation manager and validation specialist education

There are a few differences between a validation manager and a validation specialist in terms of educational background:

	Validation Manager	Validation Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Validation manager vs validation specialist demographics

Here are the differences between validation managers' and validation specialists' demographics:

	Validation Manager	Validation Specialist
Average age	48	43
Gender ratio	Male, 78.5% Female, 21.5%	Male, 57.3% Female, 42.7%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.5% Asian, 17.2% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	8%	5%

Differences between validation manager and validation specialist duties and responsibilities

Validation manager example responsibilities.

Manage the CSV project that validate 76 within 17 months saving $1.0 MM out of $8.8MM.
Implement a regression process, and manage the execution of the regression testing.
Manage an SSD validation team responsible for testing and debugging the next generation PCIe SSD's.
Manage QA disposition and review of commercial stability material and conduct investigations on out-of-specification/anomalous results.
Coordinate site training requirements, deliver GMP and technical specific training, create and manage associated metrics.
Perform computer and control system validation for QC analytical instrumentation and manufacturing process systems.

Validation specialist example responsibilities.

Manage all cleaning validation schedule and coordinate activities with QA and/or external laboratories and operations.
Perform cleaning validation for a bulk pharmaceutical blending facility and take part in GMP training of plant employees.
Qualify sterile transfer skid equipment, transfer and clean-in-place (CIP) processes.
Perform gap analysis of QC procedures and protocols for dissolution bath and washer machines.
Generate URS, ICA, and IOQ documents used to qualify and validate equipment.
Create and write procedures for validation, reliability, and returns departments for ISO certification.

Validation manager vs validation specialist skills

Common validation manager skills

Project Management, 7%
QC, 6%
FDA, 6%
Cleaning Validation, 5%
Regression, 5%
Regulatory Agencies, 4%

Common validation specialist skills

GMP, 7%
FDA, 7%
IQ/OQ/PQ, 5%
Iq Oq Pq, 5%
Summary Reports, 4%
Laboratory Equipment, 4%

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Validation Manager
Validation Manager vs Validation Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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