In spite of the current economic turmoil, there is positive news for the quality profession. According to the American Society for Quality’s annual salary survey, the average quality job salary went up 3 percent from 2008 to 2009, to just under $84,000. Moreover, as in past surveys, the results show that respondents’ salaries increase as their experience in the quality field increases:
· Quality professionals with more than 20 years of experience earned an average of $94,029.
· Professionals with 10 to 20 years of experience earned on average $84,722.
· Those with 10 or fewer years of experience earned on average $73,271.
This trend of salary increases based on years of experience is also evident if broken down into specific job categories. For example, quality managers with more than 20 years of quality experience earn, on average, $4,657 more than managers with 10 to 20 years of quality experience and $10,095 more than managers with 10 or fewer years of quality experience.
Conducted by Quality Progress (QP), ASQ’s monthly flagship publication, the recent survey underscores that while quality professionals have not been immune to the recent economic recession, there are still opportunities for professional and monetary growth. Full results of the survey and much more can be found on the QP Web site, www.qualityprogress.com.
Certification and Training Data
Of all survey participants, 57.8 percent stated that they have at least one ASQ certification. While certifications and training allow quality professionals to gain new skills and proficiencies, evidence shows that these items can also greatly increase a quality professional’s earning potential.
Managers who are ASQ Certified Managers of Quality/Organizational Excellence reported they earn a higher average salary than their counterparts without this certification. In the United States, the difference is $9,551. In Canada, the difference is $7,742.
The top ASQ certifications held are Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and Certified Quality Engineer (CQE).
Respondents who completed one or more Six Sigma training programs report average earnings of $12,456 more than those who didn’t.
“In spite of these tumultuous times, it is encouraging to see that the value quality professionals bring to their organizations to improve the top line, and contribute to the bottom line, is being recognized and rewarded,” said Paul Borawski, ASQ executive director and chief strategic officer. “By taking advantage of ASQ certifications and training, quality professionals have been able to weather the latest economic storm and prepare for a brighter future.”
This year, the effects of the economic recession were apparent. Almost 85 percent of those surveyed indicated that their organization is taking steps as a result of the economic recession that included pay cuts, salary freezes, layoffs, and hiring freezes. In addition, 4.9 percent of those surveyed indicated that they are unemployed, retired or laid off.
For 23 years, ASQ has released its Annual Salary Survey, an indicator of the health of the quality profession using salary results. The survey breaks down salary information, submitted by ASQ members, into 24 categories such as job title, education, years of experience, and geographic location. A total of 9,072 responses were received this year, the vast majority coming from professionals who work in the United States or Canada.
ASQ has been the world’s leading authority on quality for more than 60 years. With more than 85,000 individual and organizational members, the professional association advances learning, quality improvement and knowledge exchange to improve business results and to create better workplaces and communities worldwide. As a champion of the quality movement, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools and training to quality professionals, quality practitioners and everyday consumers. ASQ has been the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991. Headquartered in Milwaukee, ASQ is a founding sponsor of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a prominent quarterly economic indicator, and also produces the Quarterly Quality Report.
