Management Under the Microscope: What they make, what’s their makeup and what makes them tick

• Managers make up a significant portion of respondents in the ASQ Salary Survey, with their salaries and job satisfaction levels exceeding those of nonmanagerial employees.
• Education, certifications, and an engineering background positively influence managerial salaries, while supervisory responsibilities surprisingly correlate with slightly lower pay.
• Managers heavily rely on ASQ resources, value professional development, and demonstrate loyalty to quality pioneers like Deming and Juran.

The ASQ Salary Survey highlights the prominence of managerial roles, which account for 27.6% of global respondents. Managers, directors, and executives collectively form the “managerial ranks,” with higher salaries, job satisfaction, and educational attainment than nonmanagerial employees—managers average 48.9 years of age, directors 51.7, and executives 55.4, reflecting progressive career stages. Men outnumber women in these roles, earning higher salaries on average, though all respondents report moderate satisfaction with pay, benefits, and nonfinancial aspects of their jobs.

Education and certifications are significant salary determinants for managers, with ASQ quality engineer certification offering a 15.3% pay premium. Bachelor’s degrees increase pay by 13.6%, while an engineering background contributes 10.8%. Interestingly, managers without direct reports earn slightly more than those with supervisory responsibilities. Manufacturing generally pays more than managers for services, driven by higher-paying industries like chemicals and medical devices.

Managers are avid learners and resource users, frequently citing ASQ publications, websites, and certifications as essential tools for professional growth. Quality pioneers like Deming and Juran remain influential alongside modern experts like Donald Wheeler. Managers’ commitment to continuous improvement, ASQ resources, and quality leadership highlights their focus on professional excellence. The findings emphasize the value of strategic education, certifications, and resource utilization for those aspiring to managerial roles in quality management.

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