Quality Assurance Certifications: Highest-Paying Certification, Exam Preparation, and Job Outlook

Today’s world is characterized by the information revolution, wherein information is easily accessible to everyone. This has led to more informed customers who are highly concerned about quality, which makes quality assurance an attractive career field. One effective way to gain practical expertise in the quality management field is through quality assurance certifications.

Certifications for quality assurance stand out as one of the best ways to express your proficiency in the professional practices of quality assurance. They prepare you for a lucrative career by equipping you with advanced knowledge and skills. In this article, learn more about the best quality assurance certifications and the highest-paying quality assurance certification jobs.

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What Is a Professional Certification?

Professional certification is a validation of the professional efficiency of an individual in a specific skill. These credential programs prove that a person has developed the skills and expertise to perform a particular job. It helps professionals build the competency for highly specialized jobs, leading to faster career advancement.

What’s the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?

The difference between a certification and a certificate is the learning process and applicability in the professional world. A certificate represents the credits earned in a particular field of study as a result of the academic process. A certification is a representation of professional expertise in a field proven through an exam.

Why Is Certification in Quality Assurance Important?

Certification in quality assurance is important because it adds to the credibility and competence of beginners and experts in ensuring the highest quality standards. It serves as a proof that an individual is capable of working professionally in the quality assurance field.

Best Quality Assurance Certifications by Salary

Certification
Provider
Average Salary
Cost

Manager of Quality/ Organizational Excellence Certification
American Society for Quality
$115,000
$568

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
American Society for Quality
$106,000
$538

Certified Scrum Master
Scrum Alliance
$103,000
$500-$2,000

Quality Auditor Certification
American Society for Quality
$93,000
$498

Quality Engineer Certification
American Society for Quality
$92,000
$498

Certified Software Quality Analyst
International Software Certification Board
$82,000
$350 or $420

Certified Tester Foundation Level
International Software Testing Qualification Board
$80,000
$229

Certified Welding Inspector
American Welding Society
$76,000
$1,070-$1,325

Quality Improvement Associate Certification
American Society for Quality
$66,000
$394

Quality Inspector Certification
American Society for Quality
$59,000
$418

Best Quality Assurance Certifications to Further Your Career

Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Certification | American Society for Quality

Certified managers of quality/organizational excellence can lead improvement process initiatives for small businesses as well as for multinational corporations. They would be able to help in strategic planning, evaluating and determining risks, and managing projects.

Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Certification Overview

• Average Salary:

  $115,000

• Cost:

  $568

• Requirements:

  10 years of paid full-time job experience (5 years in a decision-making role)

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  Open book exam, 180 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours and 18 minutes (computer delivered), 165 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours (pencil and paper)

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals who want to improve strategic planning and management skills

Potential Careers With Manager of Quality/Organizational Certification Excellence

• Quality Assurance Director:

  $117,311

   

• Quality Assurance Manager:

  $96,614

• Quality Manager:

  $83,402

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification | American Society for Quality

Six Sigma Black Belt certified professionals become experts in Six Sigma systems, principles, tools, and philosophies that can be applied to daily operations. Black belts can assign responsibilities to team members, as they best understand the dynamics of leading a team.

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Overview

• Average Salary:

  $106,000

• Cost:

  $538

• Requirements:

  3 years of professional experience, 2 complete projects with signed affidavit

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  Open book exam, 165-question exam in 4 hours and 18 minutes (computer-delivered), 150-question exam in 4 hours (pencil and paper)

• Best Suited For:

  Best for the people who want to upgrade their operational business excellence through Six Sigma

Potential Careers With Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

• Director of Operations:

  $95,371

   

• Continuous Improvement Manager:

  $88,443

• Quality Manager:

  $83,042

   

Certified ScrumMaster | Scrum Alliance

Anyone who has the ability to solve complex problems can take this certification. Whether you’re a human resources representative, marketer, or data scientist, you can be a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) to improve your leadership and organizational skills.

Certified ScrumMaster Overview

• Average Salary:

  $103,000

• Cost:

  $500-$2,000

• Requirements:

  Pass CMS test based on 50 questions in 1 hour

• Valid For:

  2 years

• Exam Length:

  50 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour

• Best Suited For:

  People who want to become agile and intelligent through Scrum

Potential Careers With Certified ScrumMaster

• Data Scientist:

  $97,575

• Scrum Master:

  $90,224

   

• HR Representative:

  $50,699

Quality Auditor Certification | American Society for Quality

Quality auditor certification proves that a professional understands the principles and techniques of auditing. Certified quality auditors can examine, report, evaluate, and determine the deficiencies, quality, and sufficiency of a system.

Quality Auditor Certification Overview

• Average Salary:

  $93,000

• Cost:

  $498

• Requirements:

  8 years of full-time paid job experience (3 years in a decision-making role)

• Valid For:

  N/A

• Exam Length:

  165 multiple-choice questions in 5 hours and 18 minutes (computer-delivered), 150 multiple-choice questions in 5 hours (pencil and paper)

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals who want to understand and apply auditing standards and principles

Potential Careers With Quality Auditor Certification

• Quality Assurance Director:

  $117,311

• Quality Manager:

  $83,042

• Quality Assurance Manager:

  $82,895

Quality Engineer Certification | American Society for Quality

Quality engineer certification holders understand the controlling and evolutionary principles of product and service. This certification emphasizes on knowledge about quality cost, inspection process, and quality control system operations.

Quality Engineer Certification Overview

• Average Salary:

  $92,000

• Cost:

  $498

• Requirements:

  8 years of professional experience (3 years in a decision-making role)

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  Open book exam, 175 multiple-choice questions in 5 hours and 18 minutes (computer-delivered), 150 multiple-choice question in 5 hours (pencil and paper)

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals who want to be in charge of product quality control

Potential Careers With Quality Engineer Certification

• Quality Manager:

  $83,042

• Supplier Quality Engineer:

  $77,292

• Quality Assurance Engineer:

  $72,906

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Certified Software Quality Analyst | International Software Certification Board

Certified software and quality analysts are expected to have advanced knowledge about the principles and practices of quality analysis. They can provide guidelines to other members of the groups and departments, such as information technology.

Certified Software Quality Analyst Overview

• Average Salary:

  $82,000

• Cost:

  $350/$420

• Requirements:

  Either of the following: 4-year degree from accredited college-level institution and 2 years experience in the information services field, 3-year degree from accredited college-level institution and 3 years experience in the information services field, 2-year degree from accredited college-level institution and 4 years experience in the information services field, or 6 years of professional experience in information service field

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  100 multiple-choice objective question in 75 minutes, 12 short question/essay in 75 minutes

• Best Suited For:

  Software quality professionals looking for a career advancement

Potential Careers With Certified Software Quality Analyst

• Software Quality Assurance Manager:

  $104,385

• Software Quality Assurance Lead:

  $92,167

• Software Quality Assurance Analyst:

  $61,159

Certified Tester Foundation Level | International Software Testing Qualification Board

The Certified Tester Foundation Level certification covers basic knowledge about terminologies and practical testing. It also taps into the different approaches, practices, and the worldwide concepts of testing domains.

Certified Tester Foundation Level Overview

• Average Salary:

  $80,000

• Cost:

  $229

• Requirements:

  Basic IT knowledge

• Valid For:

  Lifelong validity

• Exam Length:

  40 questions in 60 minutes

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals interested in basic software testing

Potential Careers With Certified Tester Foundation Level

• Senior Test Quality Assurance Engineer:

  $98,236

   

• Quality Assurance/Test Automation Engineer:

  $71,935

   

• Test/Quality Assurance Analyst:

  $63,493

Certified Welding Inspector | American Welding Society

Certified welding inspectors are aware of the materials and process of welding and its limitations. They know the dangers of welding operations. They can make responsible reports and judgments.

Certified Welding Inspector Overview

• Average Salary:

  $76,000

• Cost:

  $1,070 (AWS members), $1,325 (non-members)

• Requirements:

  1 year of welding-based work experience if you have a bachelor’s degree or higher in welding engineering or related field, or a minimum of 5 years of welding-based work experience if you have a high school diploma but no technical degrees or courses

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  3 sections with a 2-hour time limit each (part A fundamentals, part B practical exam and part C code book exam)

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals interested to become skilled welding inspector

Potential Careers With Certified Welding Inspector

• Welding Engineer:

  $78,835

• Welding Inspector:

  $74,850

• Certified Welding Inspector:

  $71,719

Quality Improvement Associate Certification | American Society for Quality

Quality improvement associate certification is a proof of basic and important knowledge about quality tools and their specific usage. Certified professionals must be well adept at how these quality tools help improve project quality.

Quality Improvement Associate Certification Overview

• Average Salary:

  $66,000

• Cost:

  $394

• Requirements:

  Associate degree or 2 years of working experience

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  Open book exam, 110 questions in 3 hours and 18 minutes (computer-delivered exam), 100 questions in 3 hours (pencil and paper)

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals interested in applying quality improvement tools

Potential Careers With Quality Improvement Associate Certification

• Quality Engineer, Medical Devices:

  $74,630

• Quality Assurance Specialist:

  $62,509

   

• Quality Manager:

  $83,042

Quality Inspector Certification | American Society for Quality

This certification is for quality inspectors who use different proven and verified techniques in quality inspection. Certified quality inspectors know how to evaluate and inspect products and can perform different procedures in the laboratory.

Quality Inspector Certification Overview

• Average Salary:

  $59,000

• Cost:

  $418

• Requirements:

  2 years of professional experience in the mechanical inspection field

• Valid For:

  3 years

• Exam Length:

  Open book multiple-choice exam, 110 questions in 4 hours 8 minutes (computer-delivered), 100 questions in 4 hours (pencil and paper)

• Best Suited For:

  Professionals who want prove expertise in inspecting and evaluating products

Potential Careers With Quality Inspector Certification

• Quality Assurance Inspector, Manufacturing:

  $60,276

• Quality Assurance Inspector:

  $57,800

• Quality Control Inspector:

  $51,559

   

How to Choose the Best Quality Assurance Certification for Your Career

Before enrolling for a quality assurance certification exam, you must ensure that it aligns with your career goals and needs. Keepy reading for some tips that can help you choose the best quality assurance certification for you.

Consider your Career Goals

The foremost tip to consider is going through your career goals. Do you want to land the best quality assurance remote jobs or want to level up from your current job position? Be clear on what you want to achieve with your prospective certifications, then choose according to your overall career goals.

Check the Scope

Another thing to consider is the scope of the certification you plan to earn. Will the certification be useful in the future while also complying with the latest trends in the market? Your certification is an investment, so it’s important to keep the long-term impact in mind.

Check for Industry Recognition

It’s no use investing your time and money in a certification that is not recognized in the relevant industry. Whether you are pursuing a software quality assurance certification or a quality auditor certification, make sure that the certification and the provider are credible and have a good industry recognition.

Which Quality Assurance Certifications Pay the Most?

The quality assurance certifications that pay the most are mentioned in the list below. All these certifications help professionals get hands-on quality assurance training in the latest skills they need. This way, they can earn higher in the quality assurance and quality management field.

Highest-Paying Quality Assurance Certifications

1. Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence: $115,000
2. Six Sigma Black Belt Certification: $106,000
3. Certified ScrumMaster: $103,000
4. Quality Auditor Certification: $93,000
5. Quality Engineer Certification: $92,000

Which Quality Assurance Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?

The quality assurance certifications that are the best for beginners are Certified Associate in Software Testing and Certified Tester Foundation Level. These certifications are good for beginners because they are basic level certifications. They deal with fundamental concepts and practices that help beginners develop basic knowledge in quality assurance.

Best College Certificate Programs

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How to Prepare for Your Quality Assurance Certification Exam

To acquire certification in quality assurance, one must pass the qualifying exam to prove their expertise. Quality assurance exam prep becomes easy when you have access to all the helpful resources to aid you in learning for the examination. Below are some of the courses and other resources that can help you prepare.

Best Courses to Prepare for Quality Assurance Certification Exams

For those seeking to pass a quality assurance certification exam, quality assurance prep courses can serve as a useful resource. Many associations, organizations, and platforms offer the best courses to prepare for quality assurance certification exams. Following are some of them.

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Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Question Bank | American Society for Quality

• Cost:

  $119

• Duration:

  12.5 hours

• Best Suited For:

  CMQ/OE

The Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) Question Bank is a training program offered in an e-learning format. It has hundreds of different practice questions. It’s a self-paced course that provides you with access to training resources for one year. After finishing of the course, you get a certificate of completion.

MasterClass Software Testing with Jira and Agile | Udemy

• Cost:

  $110

• Duration:

  10 hours

• Best Suited For:

  Certified Software Quality Analyst

This master class offered by Udemy provides in-depth knowledge of advanced software testing. It also includes an understanding of a project management tool and its application in software testing. The program can help in preparation for passing software testing certification exams.

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Preparation | American Society for Quality

• Cost:

  $1,224

• Duration:

  37.5 hours

• Best Suited For:

  Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

The Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Preparation is a live virtual training course based on the Six Sigma Black Belt body of knowledge. The classroom discussion includes multiple choice questions to provide you with enough practice for exam preparation. Besides the face-to-face class discussion setting, you also get access to online resources for a year.

The Complete Quality Assurance Course | Udemy

• Cost:

  $110

• Duration:

  9.5 hours

• Best Suited For:

  Certified Quality Inspector, Quality Engineer Certification

This online course on quality assurance includes basic and advanced topics, such as Agile-Scrum and Kanban, bug, JIRA, selenium, and UAT. It provides a comprehensive learning and training package to anyone who wants to learn quality assurance and seeks to get a certification for it.

ISTQB Certified Tester-Foundation Level 2022 | Udemy

• Cost:

  $30

• Duration:

  11.5 hours

• Best Suited For:

  Certified Tester Foundation Level

This course is accredited by ISTQB to prepare students for Certified Tester Foundation Level Certification. The course includes on-demand video lectures and downloadable resources that can easily be accessed on mobile phones. It’s ideal for junior, senior, and professional level testers, as well as beginners who want to learn about software testing.

Other Resources to Prepare for Your Quality Assurance Certification Exams

Besides quality assurance certification courses, there are also some other resources to aid your quality assurance exam prep. Some of these resources are available for free and open to all students, while others might require a fee and a membership to an association. Following are some of the best resources to prepare for your quality assurance certification exams.

Quality Assurance Communities

Quality assurance communities, such as ASQ communities, offer an interaction platform for professionals to meet others who want to learn about quality assurance practices. It consists of people who share their professional experience with beginners to help them learn. They share their knowledge about quality management and quality systems.

Quality Assurance Communities Overview

• Type of Resource: Online community
• Cost: Free
• Ideal For: People who want to experience interactive learning

Foundations of Software Testing ISTQB Certification, 4th edition

This book serves as a comprehensive guide for people seeking to get an ISTQB software testing certification. You can get the ebook in a PDF file, or you can buy a new or used paperback book. Both have varying prices. It’s a useful learning resource since it presents a blend of hands-on learning and explanation of fundamental concepts.

Foundations of Software Testing ISTQB Certification, 4th edition Overview

• Type of Resource: Book
• Cost: $37-$56
• Ideal For: People who prefer to self-study

ISTQB Glossary

The ISTQB glossary is a free resource offered by the ISTQB Foundation. It includes all the key terms and their definitions related to software quality assurance and software testing. This provides a comprehensive set of organized information easily accessible to you.

ISTQB Glossary Overview

• Type of Resource: Website
• Cost: Free
• Ideal For: People who want to have a quick overview of terminologies

The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook

The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook edition is prepared by highly qualified ASQ certified professionals. It provides detailed guidance to prepare for the CMQ/OE exam. It also elaborates on managerial level quality issues, which can serve as a guide for both beginners and experts.

The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook Overview

• Type of Resource: PDF file
• Cost: $105
• Ideal For: People who want a day-to-day guide on quality matters

Video Tutorials

YouTube comes in handy for those looking for a free of cost resource to help them get through the exam. You can find a lot of courses and video tutorials relevant to your specific quality assurance certification. These video tutorials help students a lot in learning, understanding, and preparing to pass the exam.

Video Tutorials Overview

• Type of Resource: Online videos
• Cost: Free
• Ideal For: People who want to learn in depth

Best Online Courses

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Quality Assurance Job Outlook and Average Salary

Quality assurance has applications in a range of industries, contributing to its broader job outlook. Once you develop proficiency, you can find jobs in healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and other sectors. One of the highest-paying quality assurance jobs, software quality assurance analysts, has a growth projection of 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There is a high earning potential in this field with a professional certification. For instance, a person with an Organizational Excellence and Quality Management Certification can earn an average of $115,000 per year, as reported by PayScale.

Best Quality Assurance Jobs After Certification

Getting a quality assurance certification improves your job prospect with the availability of high-paying quality assurance jobs. For instance, you can find many Six Sigma Black Belt Certification jobs after completing this certification. Listed below are some of the best quality assurance jobs that you might qualify for after certification.

Software Quality Control Analyst | Average Salary: $110,140

Software quality control analysts maintain long-term quality sustainability in different software programs. The required competencies for this job include analytical, problem-solving, creativity, communication, and interpersonal skills. Getting a certification in quality assurance develops soft skills besides training in performing technical tasks efficiently.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Certified Software Quality Analyst. This certification offers the basic knowledge and skills needed for this job position.

Quality Assurance Analyst | Average Salary: $99, 270

Quality assurance analysts must be detail-oriented with strong business skills. Having a professional certification in quality assurance not only brings in knowledge but also provides opportunities to develop and polish the analytical skills and business acumen needed to succeed in this position.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Quality Improvement Associate Certification. This certification develops creativity and analysis skills that are helpful to perform a job as a quality assurance analyst.

Quality Assurance Manager | Average Salary: $82,895

Quality assurance managers ensure that products or services meet the required quality standards. The skills required for this job include quality assurance, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, and leadership. If you complement your education with a quality assurance certification, you can develop all these skills and improve your employability.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence. It leads to developing the managerial skills required to maintain consistent quality standards throughout the firm.

Quality Improvement Coordinator | Average Salary: $74,367

Quality improvement coordinators ensure continuous quality improvement producing a product or providing a service through smart goal-setting. They work in different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and finance. The required skills for this job include process improvement, data analysis, agile team management, and quality improvement.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Quality Improvement Associate Certification. This is the ideal certification for a professional who wants to be good at being a quality improvement coordinator.

Quality Assurance Engineer | Average Salary: $72,906

Quality assurance engineers assure compliance to quality standards in a product before its launch. As a quality assurance engineer, your skills must include internal audit, data analysis, test automation, and most importantly, consistent quality assurance. Certifications relevant to this job validates that an engineer has a knack for quality assurance.

Best Certification for the Job Role

Quality Engineer Certification. The certification includes a blend of engineering knowledge with quality assurance skills to help an individual get a lead role.

Best Quality Assurance Associations

Quality assurance associations provide students and professionals with a platform to learn about quality assurance firsthand from industry experts and professionals. These associations provide knowledge through training programs, certifications, and communities to help people excel in quality assurance. Following are some of the best quality assurance associations.

American Society for Quality

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a globally recognized organization with members in over 130 countries. It aims to help individuals and industries to achieve excellence in quality through its solutions. Members get an opportunity to become a part of the ASQ, which has a community of quality professionals to help you learn and grow from experience.

Society of Quality Assurance

The Society of Quality Assurance is an organization consisting of over 2,000 professionals. They work collectively to promote high quality standards in the laboratory, manufacturing, and healthcare industry. The organization offers several opportunities for the career growth of all its members.

Quality Assurance Association

The Quality Assurance Association is a nonprofit organization offering its services to elevate the field of quality assurance. The association consists of professionals like retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and laboratory representatives. They help mentor beginners according to their level of experience.

Are Quality Assurance Certifications Worth It?

Yes, quality assurance certifications are worth it because they provide you with a quick route for advancing your career. They keep you updated with the latest advancements in the field and provide opportunities through practical experience and exams. If you plan on becoming a quality assurance manager, you can do that by getting a quality assurance certification.

Additional Reading About Quality Assurance

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Quality Assurance Certifications FAQ

Are software quality assurance certifications in demand?

Yes, software quality assurance certifications are in high demand for various software quality assurance jobs with a projected job growth of 22 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With this positive projection, certifications can increase your chances in getting software testing and assurance jobs.

Do quality assurance certifications have prerequisites?

Yes, quality assurance certifications have prerequisites similar to degree requirements. Some certifications require a two-year degree, while others require a four-year degree. Some certifications accept three or four-year degrees with a few years of experience. The professional experience requirements also vary among different certifications.

Can I get a quality assurance certification after my bachelor’s?

Yes, you can get a quality assurance certification after getting your bachelor’s degree. Some programs even accept a three-year degree along with a few years of experience. You can select from beginners to advanced level certifications, depending on your learning and career objectives.

In which areas can we apply quality assurance?

We can apply quality assurance to a wide range of areas, including products and services. Some popular areas include animal well-being, food, manufacturing, software testing, and technology. Quality control systems have become a necessity in every field.