How to Become a QA Manager?
Are you thinking of becoming a QA Manager or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a QA Manager, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new QA Manager job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Qa Manager
If you're considering starting your Qa Manager career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Qa Manager and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Qa Manager career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Qa Manager career path, a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Qa Manager internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Qa Manager?
89% of people working as a Qa Manager earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Qa Manager?
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Audit
- Test Plans
- Exceptional Communication
- Excellent Communication
- MS Office
- Critical Thinking
- Work Instructions
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Qa Manager, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Qa Manager field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Qa Manager specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Qa Manager
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Qa Manager. In general, you can become a Qa Manager after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Qa Manager role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified lean six sigma blackbelt, project management professional pmp certification.4
Advance in Your Qa Manager Career
Following entry-level, there are several Qa Manager career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Qa Manager to progress to the senior qa manager position. Each advanced Qa Manager position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Qa Manager career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Qa Manager career path.5
Continued Education for Your Qa Manager Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Qa Manager career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in computer science can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $164,353 compared to $71,953 for those without that type of degree.QA Manager Career Path
QA Manager
2 - 4Years of Experience
$96K - $150K /yrMost Likely Range
28% advanced to
Senior QA Manager
2 - 4Years of Experience
$115K - $179K /yrMost Likely Range
15% advanced to
Lead QA Manager
5 - 7Years of Experience
$144K - $235K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
QA Manager Career Path
QA Manager I
QA Manager
Senior QA Manager
Lead QA Manager
Senior Lead QA Manager
Associate Director of Quality Management
Head QA Manager
Senior Director of Quality Management
Vice President of Quality Management
$60K
$132K
$204K
$276K
$420K
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Interested in other Engineering careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with QA Manager skills. Discover some of the most common QA Manager career transitions, along with skills overlap.