Updated project metadata. Genetic variation governs protein expression through both transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes. To investigate this relationship, we combined a multiplexed, mass spectrometry-based method for protein quantification with an emerging mouse model harboring extensive genetic variation from 8 founder strains. We collected genome-wide mRNA and protein profiling measurements to link genetic variation to protein expression differences in livers from 192 diversity outcross mice. We observed nearly 3,700 protein-level quantitative trait loci (pQTL) with an equal proportion of proteins regulated directly by their cognate mRNA as uncoupled from their transcript. Our analysis reveals an extensive array of at least five models for genetic variant control of protein abundance including direct protein-to-protein associations that act to achieve stoichiometric balance of functionally related enzymes and subunits of multimeric complexes.