What Does a Quality Engineer Do? Salary, Skills & Career Path

Jun 26

What makes a product reliable, safe, and consistent—whether it’s a car engine, a medical device, or a phone that doesn’t overheat? Behind the scenes, it’s often a quality engineer ensuring every detail meets the mark.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what a quality engineer actually does, how much they earn, what skills they need, and how you can become one.

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What Is a Quality Engineer?

A quality engineer designs and implements systems that ensure products are made consistently, meet specifications, and comply with safety and industry standards. They’re focused on preventing problems, not just fixing them.

Whether it's reviewing production data, conducting inspections, or leading process improvements, a quality engineer’s job is all about ensuring quality at every step—before a product ever reaches the customer.

What Does a Quality Engineer Do?

Here’s a snapshot of what quality engineers are typically responsible for:

Creating and maintaining quality standards
They help define what “good” looks like and build testing procedures, SOPs, and documentation to match.
Auditing and inspecting
They routinely check processes and finished products to catch inconsistencies, non-conformance, or safety issues.
Identifying and solving problems
Using tools like root cause analysis or Six Sigma methods, they investigate defects and prevent them from happening again.
Collaborating across teams
They work with production, design, and supplier teams to improve processes and maintain compliance.
Using data to drive decisions
They collect and analyze data to identify trends and make informed improvements—often using tools like Minitab, Excel, or ERP systems.

It’s a mix of technical expertise, systems thinking, and hands-on troubleshooting—making it a great fit for people who love solving problems.

How Much Does a Quality Engineer Make?

Here’s the good news: it’s one of the better-paying career paths in engineering, even at the entry level.

In the U.S., the average quality engineer salary is around $101,000 per year, (the Bureau of Labor Statistics). New professionals typically start near $70,000, and with experience—especially in high-regulation industries like aerospace or medical devices—top earners make over $150,000.

Certified Quality Engineers (CQEs), or those with Lean Six Sigma credentials, often see salary boosts of 10–15% compared to their uncertified peers. And if you move into senior or managerial roles, it’s not uncommon to reach into the $130K–$160K range.

Compared to general manufacturing or technician roles, quality engineers tend to earn significantly more thanks to their mix of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and leadership potential.

Where you live also matters. High-demand regions like California, Texas, and Michigan tend to offer higher salaries due to the strength of the aerospace, automotive, and electronics sectors.

Compare top-paying jobs in industrial manufacturing

Skills That Make a Great Quality Engineer

You don’t need to know everything on day one, but here are some of the key skills that help quality engineers succeed:

Attention to detail — small mistakes can lead to big problems.
Analytical thinking — to identify patterns and solve root causes.
Strong communication — for working with cross-functional teams.
Knowledge of quality standards — like ISO 9001, GMP, or industry-specific regulations.
Familiarity with tools — such as Six Sigma, FMEA, Minitab, or ERP systems.

If you love improving how things work and digging into details others overlook, you’re already thinking like a quality engineer.

Quality Engineer Certification: What You Need to Know

While not always required, having a quality engineer certification can seriously boost your credibility—and your pay.

The most common certification is the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) offered by ASQ (American Society for Quality). Other valuable credentials include:

Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma Certification
ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Certification

You can prepare for most of these through online courses or self-study, and many employers will even pay for your exam fees or prep programs.

How to Become a Quality Engineer

Here’s a simple roadmap:

Get a relevant degree
Most jobs require a bachelor’s in engineering, industrial technology, or a related field.
Start with hands-on experience
Begin in roles like quality technician, inspector, or process assistant. These help you understand the work from the ground up and build practical experience.
Learn the tools and standards
Get comfortable with ISO 9001, FMEA, root cause analysis, and Lean or Six Sigma methods. These are the core tools of the trade.
Earn certifications
Even one certification—like a Six Sigma Green Belt or CQE—can boost your credibility and help you move into more technical or leadership roles.
Keep learning
Whether it’s new regulations, tools, or techniques, the best engineers never stop improving.

What’s the Job Outlook Like?

Quality engineering isn’t just in demand—it’s growing fast.

In the U.S., jobs in industrial engineering (which includes many quality engineer roles) are expected to grow 12% from 2023 to 2033. That’s much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Companies are automating, scaling up, and facing higher quality expectations—especially in industries like EVs, aerospace, and healthcare. And as experienced engineers retire, there’s room for fresh talent to step in.

With around 25,000 new job openings each year, now is a smart time to build your skills and step into this growing field.

What Are the Challenges of Being a Quality Engineer?

Like any role, quality engineering has its hurdles. Here are some of the real-world challenges professionals face:

Balancing quality with production speed
You’re there to protect the product, but production teams want to move fast. Finding the right balance between thoroughness and efficiency can be a daily challenge.

Being the one to raise red flags
Calling out problems—especially in front of leadership or across departments—can feel uncomfortable. But quality engineers must have the confidence to speak up when something’s not right.

High responsibility, even early in your career
Your decisions impact product safety, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. That kind of pressure can be tough, especially when you're just starting out.

Constant change
Whether it’s new regulations, updated processes, or changing technology, the work evolves fast. Staying current is part of the job.

Repetitive tasks in the beginning
Early roles often include a lot of documentation, inspections, and data entry. But these build your foundation for more strategic roles down the line.

How to Get Your First Quality Engineering Job

You don’t always need the exact job title to break into quality engineering. Many professionals start in roles like:

Quality Technician
Process or Manufacturing Inspector
Production Associate with QA tasks
Document Control Coordinator

These positions help you gain experience with quality tools, systems, and standards—while building relationships inside manufacturing or tech organizations. Combine that with a certification or two, and you’ll be ready to move into a full engineering role.