MILWAUKEE, WI – Salaries for quality professionals in 2013 increased 1.58% after a year of flat growth in 2012, according to a new survey of 6,500 workers.

The highest-paid job titles in the US include vice president/executive, with an average salary of $154,720, directors, who make $123,460, and Master Black Belts, who averaged $119,274 in 2013, according to respondents to the survey.

The survey was conducted by Quality Progress magazine and was completed by nearly 6,500 professionals from a range of industries and market sectors, a response rate of 16.7%. Regular, full-time employees made up 93.8% of the respondents. Self-employed consultants, part-time employees and unemployed, retired or laid off workers also were surveyed.

Respondents from the US in 2013 made an average of $88,458, up from $86,743 in 2012. In Canada, the average salary in 2013 decreased slightly to $84,226 from $84,715 in 2012. (All Canadian figures are noted in Canadian dollars.)

According to the survey, 30% of hiring managers say they expect to hire their next employee in quality within three months, while more than 41% say they expect to hire their next employee in a year or more. Quality engineers, technicians and inspectors are the top positions managers foresee hiring, while vice presidents, champions and Master Black Belts were at the bottom of positions hiring managers foresee hiring.

General experience is the top attribute hiring managers consider for job candidates, according to the survey. A candidate’s attitude, specific industry or product experience, and personality also rank high among the desired attributes.

Some of the least considered attributes include analytical skill, detail orientation and autonomy. The least considered attribute according to the survey is the understanding of quality and quality mindset.

Those with ASQ certifications earn more than their colleagues with no certifications. The more certifications earned, the higher the salary.

Of the salary survey respondents, 58.2% hold at least one ASQ certification. Nearly 40% hold just one certification, and nearly 14% have earned two certifications.

The average salary of respondents who have no certifications is $85,454, whereas those who have earned one certification make an average of $87,948, and those with two certifications earn $92,866. Respondents who have earned six or more certifications earn an average of $108,264.

Supplier quality engineers with a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification earn an average of $22,209 more than their non-certified counterparts.

Quality engineers who obtain a Reliability Engineer Certification make an average of $97,374, $18,410 more than quality engineers without certification.

In the US, respondents who complete at least one Six Sigma training program earn $97,616, compared to $80,790 for those who have not completed any training.

Full-time employees in the US who have completed Green Belt training make nearly $10,000 more than those without training; those with Black Belt training make nearly $20,000 more than those with no training, and those with Master Black Belt training earn almost $45,000 more.

Respondents with Master Black Belt training made an average $124,661 in 2013, up from $119,335 in 2012 and $117,222 in 2011.

In the US, respondents with more than 20 years’ experience in the quality field averaged $101,189 in 2013. In 2012, US quality professionals with more than 20 years’ experience earned $99,564.

On the other hand, respondents with less than a year of experience in 2013 earned an average of $64,874, up from $63,674 in 2012.