Abstract

A recent ASQ pulse survey showed that the median salary for U.S. quality professionals is $120,000, up from the median salary of $115,000 in 2024. One key observation across all segments: Professionals are prioritizing personal development, future-readiness and career flexibility. The survey also focused on what quality professionals are doing to approach the future—namely, their upskilling plans. The most frequently cited motivator for upskilling was personal growth and development (87%), signaling a shift away from more external drivers such as salary toward intrinsic goals such as fulfillment, curiosity and long-term adaptability.