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Associate Director of Quality Salary in California

How much does an Associate Director of Quality make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Director of Quality in California is $186,020 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $89.

However, an Associate Director of Quality's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $209,258
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $172,693 to $198,184
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $160,560
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Director of Quality Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate Director of Quality Salaries

An Associate Director of Quality's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Associate Director of Quality Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Director of Quality's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $171,986
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $144,909
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $183,486
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $223,703
  • Expert (over 8 years): $276,010
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Quality Assurance Specialist V less than 1 year $171,986
Quality Assurance Manager 1-2 years $144,909
Associate Director of Quality 2-4 years $183,486
Quality Assurance Director 5-8 years $223,703
VP of Quality Assurance over 8 years $276,010

How Do Associate Director of Quality Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Associate Director of Qualities. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $186,728.
  • California: $186,020.
  • Massachusetts: $183,541.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Director of Quality

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $186,340
  • West Hollywood: $186,205
  • Dodgertown: $186,339

Associate Director of Quality Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Director of Quality roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Associate Director of Quality positions in Transportation or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Director of Quality as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Director of Quality

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services $223,224 $107.0 20%
Healthcare $219,503 $106.0 18%
Aerospace & Defense $213,923 $103.0 15%
Construction $208,342 $100.0 12%
Biotechnology $204,622 $98.0 10%

Associate Director of Quality Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Director of Quality's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$172,693
Average $186,020/year
$198,184
$14,391
Average $15,502/month
$16,515
$3,321
Average $3,577/week
$3,811
$83
Average $89/hour
$95
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $198,184 $16,515 $3,811 $95
Average $186,020 $15,502 $3,577 $89
25th Percentile $172,693 $14,391 $3,321 $83

Find Your Next Associate Director of Quality Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Associate Director of Quality job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • GrowthWise Search Partners | Sacramento, CA

    Quality Director

    GrowthWise Search Partners | Sacramento, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. In office role in Sacramento CA with a relo package so being shared throughout the USA. Your mission: build a production ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Rangeview Inc. | El Segundo, CA

    Director Quality

    Rangeview Inc. | El Segundo, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Director, Quality. Compensation: $175,000–$210,000 + equity. Location: El Segundo, CA. Work Policy: Onsite. Level: Level ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • FTG Circuits | Los Angeles, CA

    Director of Quality

    FTG Circuits | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Firan Technology Group (FTG) is a global aerospace and defense electronics company with facilities in Canada, t... more

    3 Days Ago

  • HCTHealthcare | Los Angeles, CA

    Director Quality

    HCTHealthcare | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. HCT seeks an experienced healthcare professional to serve as the interim Director of Quality for 400+ bed hospital in Cal... more

    6 Days Ago

  • University of California , Riverside | Oakland, CA

    Director of Quality

    University of California , Riverside | Oakland, CA

    The Director of Quality - UCR Health supports the mission, vision, and goals of the organization through continuous quality improvement to provide safe, ti... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Vertical Laboratories | Glendale, CA

    Quality Associate

    Vertical Laboratories | Glendale, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Quality Associate (ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory). Vertical Laboratories LLC | Glendale, CA | Full-Time, Day Shift | $26.00–$3... more

    2 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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