I’m happy to share the latest article I co‑wrote for Quality Progress, titled “Evolving With Intention” (July 2025, Vol. 58, Issue 7). This piece draws upon a recent ASQ Pulse Survey and sheds light on how quality professionals are navigating career challenges with foresight and purpose.
Co-writing “Evolving With Intention” allowed me to reflect on what truly motivates us as professionals and how we can chart the course ahead with both mindfulness and flexibility.
One of the most striking findings from the survey was a bump in the median salary for U.S. quality professionals—$120,000 in 2025, up from $115,000 in 2024. That’s a welcome indicator of ongoing recognition and investment in the field of quality.
But what fascinated me even more was where people’s motivations for upskilling are really coming from—not just their paychecks, but their desires for purpose and growth. That shift was clear: 87% of respondents said personal growth and development were their primary motivators for upskilling, far outranking external drivers like salary.
Working on this article was more than just reporting survey results—it was a reminder to myself and to anyone in quality that our profession is evolving in a beautiful way. The numbers—especially that 87% figure—confirm what I’ve long believed: that being intentional about growth is what makes a career truly sustainable and meaningful.
