Quality Assurance Specialist (QA) – Salary, How to Become, Job Description & Best Schools

Quality assurance specialists are responsible for ensuring a product or service meets the established standards of quality, including reliability, usability and performance.

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What is a Quality Assurance Specialist (QA)?

The following responsibilities are common for Quality Assurance Specialists:

• Confirms and maintains audit procedures are properly carried out and assigned work schedules are maintained
• Determines overall product quality by conducting various product testing
• Resolves any major quality issues at production facilities, warehouses or markets
• Trains, educates and maintains other employees on recommended quality control testing, equipment safety and sanitizing procedures
• Consults with management and other personnel on better operational procedures to improve overall efficiency and product yields

A Day In The Life

A Quality Assurance Specialist develops and implements a companies quality assurance standards in a manufacturing facility.  They are responsible for preforming quality tests through computer applications to isolate and solve any issues that may arise during production.

Depending on the industry the individual decides to go in to, their job description will entail inspecting, manually and computer testing of production equipment before, during and after the manufacturing process to ensure the set standards are met.  They also operate and monitor inspection equipment as well as record and analyze quality data.  Their role also involves determining the overall quality of a product by conducting and evaluating these various tests to ensure set specifications are met.

It is the responsibility of this individual to educate and instruct company personnel on the recommended quality standards, testing, methodologies, equipment, and resources in order to achieve the necessary standards of quality set for a certain product.

Typical Work Schedule

This is a full-time position, with shift work available due to the fact these individuals will be employed mostly in factory and office settings.

Projected Job Growth

A large part of this position is becoming automated, but a computer cannot replace an inspection by a human beings eyes and hands.  Therefor, careers in this field are expected to grow faster that the national average over the next few years.

Typical Employers

Any business that provides wholesale or retail products and services, from electronics to clothing to pharmaceuticals, all require individuals to inspect the quality of their products.