Quality Progress

APPENDIX A: STATISTICAL TERMS

Here are brief descriptions of the statistical terms used in the survey report:

• Minimum salary: the lowest salary reported in that particular group.
• Maximum salary: the highest salary reported in that particular group.
• Standard deviation: a measure of dispersion around the mean. In a normal distribution, 68% of cases fall within one standard deviation of the mean and 95% of cases fall within two standard deviations. For example, if the mean salary is $70,000 with a standard deviation of $15,000, 95% of the cases are between $40,000 and $100,000 in a normal distribution.
• Count: the number of respondents in that particular group.
• Mean salary: the average salary for that particular group.
• Median salary: the 50^th percentile—that is, the salary at which half the cases fall above and half fall below. If there is an even number of cases, the median is the average of the two middle cases.

APPENDIX B: JOB TITLES

In each year’s salary survey, ASQ asks respondents to choose from a list of job titles the one that most nearly matches their own. In all years, there are some whose titles do not closely match any on the list. These respondents choose “Other” and are asked to fill in a title. In some cases, the titles given by respondents who chose “Other” in fact correspond to job titles that could have been found on the pick-list, and in these cases, our editors corrected the record.

Here are the suggested definitions for the job titles used in the 2024 survey. Some of the definitions were compiled by an HR expert and have been revised throughout the years. Based on respondent feedback, they will continue to be analyzed and revised periodically. All definitions are intended only as a guide.

• Analyst: Initiates and coordinates quality-related data from production, service or process improvement activities and reports these data using statistical techniques.
• Associate: Involved in quality improvement projects but not necessarily full time. Does not necessarily have primary responsibility for traditional quality management, assurance or control activities.
• Auditor: Performs and reports on internal or external quality system audits.
• Black Belt: Six Sigma or quality expert. Often a full-time team leader responsible for implementing process improvement projects within the business to increase customer satisfaction levels and business productivity.
• Calibration technician: Tests, calibrates, maintains and repairs electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, analytical and electronic measuring, recording and indicating instruments and equipment for conformance to established standards.
• Champion: Business leader or senior manager who ensures resources are available for quality training and projects, and is involved in project tollgate reviews. Often an executive who supports and addresses Six Sigma organizational issues.
• Consultant: Provides advice, facilitation and training on the development, administration and technical aspects of an organization’s quality improvement efforts at any or all levels. Has expertise in some or all aspects of the quality field. At the forefront of changes in his or her field. This person can be from outside the organization or an employee of the organization.
• Coordinator: Collects, organizes, monitors and distributes information related to quality and process improvement functions, possibly including but not limited to compliance to and documentation of quality management standards, such as ISO 9001. Typically generates reports using computer skills and distributes those reports to various users in the organization or among customers and suppliers.
• Director: Oversees all aspects of the organization’s quality or business improvement efforts, such as developing and administering the program, training and coaching employees, and facilitating change throughout the organization. Responsible for establishing strategic plans, policies and procedures at all levels so quality improvement efforts will meet or exceed internal and external customers’ needs and expectations.
• Educator/instructor: Instructs or trains others on quality-related topics, tools and techniques. This person may be an employee of an organization or teach in a university or college setting.
• Green Belt: Operates in support of or under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt, analyzes quality problems and is involved in quality improvement projects. Has at least three years of work experience.
• Inspector: Inspects, audits and reports on materials, processes and products using variable or attribute measuring instruments and techniques to ensure conformance with the organization's quality standards.
• Manager: Ensures administration of the organization’s quality, process or business improvement efforts within a defined segment of the organization. Might be responsible for dealing with customers and suppliers on quality or performance issues. Typically has people reporting directly to him or her.
• Master Black Belt: Six Sigma or quality expert responsible for strategic implementations within the business. Qualified to teach other Six Sigma facilitators the methods, tools and applications in all functions and levels of the organization. A resource for using statistical methods to improve processes.
• Process/manufacturing/project engineer: Performs engineering work to evaluate manufacturing processes or performance improvement projects for optimization. Duties also may include developing processes to ensure that quality, cost and efficiency requirements are met.
• Quality engineer: Designs, installs and evaluates quality assurance process sampling systems, procedures and statistical techniques. Designs or specifies inspection and testing mechanisms and equipment. Analyzes production and service limitations and standards. Recommends revision of specifications. Formulates or helps formulate quality assurance policies and procedures. May conduct training on quality assurance concepts and tools. Interfaces with all other engineering components within the organization and with customers and suppliers on quality-related issues.
• Reliability/safety engineer: Uses principles of performance evaluation and prediction to improve the safety, reliability and maintainability of products and systems. Plans reliability tests and conducts analyses of field failures. Develops and administers reliability information systems for failure analysis and performance improvement.
• Software quality engineer: Applies quality principles to the development and use of software and software-based systems. Designs and implements software development and maintenance processes. Designs or specifies test methods for software inspection, verification and validation.
• Specialist: As the primary assignment, performs a specific quality-related function within the organization’s quality program. Examples include management representative and testing expert. Has received direct training or has been performing the activity for several years. Shows a high degree of skill performing that specific activity.
• Statistician: Specializes in the use of statistical techniques for process control and other quality-related methods. May design research and testing methods. Reports and interprets statistical data to management and leaders.
• Supervisor: Administers the organization's quality improvement efforts within a defined department. Has direct reports that implement some aspect of the policies and procedures of the quality functions.
• Supplier quality engineer/professional: Responsible for all quality improvement issues related to vendors and suppliers of materials, products or services used in development or manufacture. Assesses potential new suppliers. Works with suppliers to develop and improve the entire supply chain. May be involved in purchasing.
• Technician: Performs basic quality techniques—possibly including calibration—to track, analyze and report on materials, processes and products to ensure they meet the organization’s quality standards.
• Vice president/executive: Establishes the direction for the development and administration of the organization’s quality improvement efforts. Consults with peers on the attitudes and practices of quality throughout the organization to develop an environment of continual improvement in every aspect of the organization’s products and services. Acts as a champion for quality.

APPENDIX C: INDUSTRY DESCRIPTIONS

EXAMPLES OF PRODUCTS IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES

Here are descriptions of a sample of the manufacturing industries represented in the salary survey

• Aerospace vehicles (NAICS code 33641): Aircraft, space vehicles and missiles, including parts and accessories.
• Chemicals and related products (NAICS code 325): Adhesives, biological products, carbon black, cosmetics, explosives, fertilizers, industrial gases, in-vitro diagnostic substances, paint, perfumes, pesticides, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, sealants, soaps, toiletries and vitamins.
• Computer and electronic products (NAICS code 334): Audio and video equipment, communications equipment (for example, telephones and televisions), computers and peripheral equipment (for example, monitors, terminals and storage devices), magnetic and optical media (manufacturing and reproducing), printed circuit boards, semiconductors and various navigational, measuring, medical and control instruments that contain electronic components.
• Defense (NAICS code 482): Government establishments primarily engaged in criminal and civil law enforcement, police, traffic safety and other activities related to the enforcement of the law and reservation of order. Combined police and fire departments.
• Electrical products (NAICS code 335): Batteries (wet and dry), coaxial cable, electric lighting equipment (industrial and residential), fiber-optic cable, graphite products, light bulbs, refrigerators and other household appliances, switchboard and switchgear apparatus, vacuum cleaners and wiring harnesses.
• Fabricated metal products (NAICS code 332): Ammunition and other ordnance, coatings, electroplating, engraving, forgings, handheld cutting and edging tools (for example, hand saws), hardware (for example, nails and bolts), heat treating, knives, machined parts, pots and pans, solenoid valves, stampings, powdered metal, powdered metal products, precision turned products and small arms.
• Food and related products (NAICS code 311): Animal and fowl feed, coffee, dairy products, fruit products, grain products, meat products, pet food, seafood products, seasonings, tea and vegetable products.
• Machinery (NAICS code 333): Agricultural machinery (for example, farm, lawn and garden equipment), commercial and industrial heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, construction machinery, elevators, industrial machinery (for example, machinery for the paper, textile, printing, food and semiconductor industries), mining machinery, pneumatic equipment, refrigeration equipment (industrial) and service industry machinery (for example, automatic vending machines and dry cleaning machinery).
• Medical instruments and supplies (NAICS code 339): Contact lenses, dental equipment and supplies, eyeglasses, medical devices and instruments that don’t contain electronic components (for example, medical thermometers, stethoscopes, splints and syringes), orthopedic devices, prosthetic devices and surgical instruments, appliances and supplies that don’t contain electronic components (for example, anesthesia apparatuses, retractors and sutures).
• Nonelectronic measuring, analyzing and controlling instruments (NAICS code 339): Balances, blood testing apparatuses, Bunsen burners, centrifuges, distilling apparatuses, lab incubators, lab ovens, lab thermometers, sample preparation apparatuses and scales.
• Paper and related products (NAICS code 322): Cardboard boxes, coated and laminated paper and paper products (for example, gift wrap and plastic-coated paper bags), diapers, envelopes, file folders, office paper, paper bags, paper food containers, paperboard products, and pulp, paper and paperboard mills.
• Primary metal products (NAICS code 331): Electromechanical ferroalloy products, ferrous and nonferrous metal foundries, and ferrous and nonferrous metal production and processing (for example, alloying, drawing, extruding, refining, rolling and smelting).
• Rubber and plastic products (NAICS code 326): Belts, cellophane, foam products (for example, polystyrene and urethane), hoses, laminate and laminate products, plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic containers, plastic pipes and pipe fittings, rubber gaskets and tires.
• Toys, sporting goods, pens, jewelry and miscellaneous products (NAICS code 339): Brooms, brushes, burial caskets, fitness equipment, games, jewelry, mops, pens, pencils, musical instruments, staplers and toys.
• Transportation and aerospace products (NAICS code 336): Aircraft, armored vehicles (for example, military tanks), automobiles, boats, guided missiles, motor homes, motor vehicle parts except tires (for example, engines, carburetors, seats, power train components and transmission components), railroad equipment, trucks (light and heavy duty) and utility vehicles.

EXAMPLES OF SERVICES IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES

Here are descriptions of a sample of the services provided by the service industries represented in the salary survey:

• Construction services (NAICS code 23): General contracting (for example, residential, industrial and commercial buildings), heavy construction contracting (for example, highways, bridges and tunnels) and special trade contracting (for example, roofing and siding).
• Consulting and other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS code 54): Accounting, advertising, certification, computer systems design, consulting (management, scientific and technical), engineering, R&D and testing services.
• Educational services (NAICS code 61): Computer training, colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, high schools, junior colleges, management training, technical schools and trade schools.
• Financial and insurance services (NAICS code 52): Commercial banks, credit card companies, credit unions, insurance carriers and agencies, mortgage brokers, sales financing companies and savings institutions.
• Healthcare services (NAICS code 62): Blood and organ banks, dentist offices, diagnostic imaging labs, doctor offices, hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient centers and residential care facilities.
• Information services (NAICS code 51): Book publishing, data processing and archiving, database publishing, greeting card publishing, newspaper publishing, radio broadcasting, telecommunications (wired and wireless) services and television broadcasting (including cable networks).
• Local, state and federal government services/public administration (NAICS code 92): Federal, state and local government agencies that administer, oversee and manage public programs and have executive, legislative or judicial authority over other institutions within a given area.
• Nuclear electrical power generation (NAICS code 221113): Operating nuclear electric power generation facilities. These facilities use nuclear power to produce electric energy. The electric energy produced in these establishments is provided to electric power transmission systems or electric power distribution systems.
• Oil and gas extraction and refining (NAICS codes 211 and 324): Crude petroleum extraction, natural gas extraction, natural gas liquid extraction and petroleum refining.
• Professional, scientific and technical services (consulting, testing and custom programming services) (NAICS code 541990): Engaged in the provision of professional, scientific or technical services— except legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and related services; architectural, engineering and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services; management, scientific and technical consulting services; scientific research and development services; advertising, public relations and related services; market research and public opinion polling; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; and veterinary services.
• Retail services (NAICS codes 44 and 45): Automobile (new and used) dealers, clothing retailers, department stores, furniture stores, garden centers, gasoline stations, sporting goods stores and supermarkets.
• Social services (NAICS code 62): Community food services, community housing services, emergency and other relief services, social assistance centers and vocational rehabilitation services.
• Transportation services (air, rail, truck and water transportation of products or passengers) (NAICS codes 48 and 49): Transportation of passengers and cargo, warehousing and storage for goods, scenic and sightseeing transportation, and support activities related to modes of transportation.
• Utilities, including electric, gas, water and sewage (NAICS code 926130): The administration, regulation, licensing and inspection of utilities, such as communications, electric power (including fossil, nuclear, solar, water and wind), gas and water supply, and sewerage.
• Wholesale (NAICS code 423990): The merchant wholesale distribution of durable goods—except motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and supplies; furniture and home furnishings; lumber and other construction materials; professional and commercial equipment and supplies; metals and minerals (except petroleum); electrical goods; hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies; machinery, equipment and supplies; sporting and recreational goods and supplies; toy and hobby goods and supplies; recyclable materials; as well as jewelry, watches, precious stones and precious metals.