Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn a median of $48,570 per year ($23.35/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.5% through 2035, with about 66,700 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- Commonly called: Quality Inspector
- SOC 51-9061
- Production
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher in four numbers
- Median pay
- $48,570a year, or $23.35/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $78K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.5%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 66,700602,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025602K
- Projected 2035617.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 602K Projected 2035 617.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school69.8%
- Certificate26.9%
- Some college2.6%
- Associate's0.7%
Highest education held by inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers Segment Value High school 69.8% Certificate 26.9% Some college 2.6% Associate's 0.7%
Also advertised as: Inspector, QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor), QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector), QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician), QC Technician (Quality Control Technician), Quality Auditor.
Pay
How much do quality inspectors make?
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn a median of $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour, or about $4,050 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $35,510 and the top 10% more than $77,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is Alaska, with a median of $78,150. See Quality inspector salary in Alaska and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Seattle ($82,080 average): salary in every city.
Every inspector, tester, sorter, sampler, and weigher in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$48,570
Middle half earn $39,890 to $61,440
- 10th
- $35,510
- 25th
- $39,890
- 75th
- $61,440
- 90th
- $77,860
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,510 |
| 25th | $39,890 |
| Median | $48,570 |
| 75th | $61,440 |
| 90th | $77,860 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $48,570
- Median hourly wage
- $23.35/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $53,450
- People employed
- 597,370
Versus all US occupations
At $48,570, Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn 5% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $2,410 a year.
Versus production occupations
The median is typical for the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $77,860 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,510, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 19% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $78,150, and still leads at $76,349 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay quality inspectors the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $78,150 | $76,349 | 300 |
| 2Washington | $64,420 | $60,198 | 12,010 |
| 3Maryland | $61,790 | $58,871 | 4,600 |
| 4Hawaii | $59,740 | $54,333 | 650 |
| 5District of Columbia | $59,730 | $54,349 | 70 |
| 6Colorado | $58,350 | $56,622 | 5,220 |
| 7Montana | $58,070 | $61,356 | 580 |
| 8Wyoming | $57,900 | $62,466 | 990 |
| 9Delaware | $57,190 | $57,300 | 1,020 |
| 10Minnesota | $57,170 | $57,969 | 9,710 |
Job outlook
Is quality inspector a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +2.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | +2.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers to change 2.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 15,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 66,700 openings are projected each year, 11.1% of the 602,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Continued improvements in technology will allow manufacturers to automate some inspection tasks, which should increase quality control inspectors’ productivity. For example, use of three-dimensional (3D) scanners decreases the amount of time required to inspect parts and finished goods for correct measurement. As a result, reduced demand is expected for some quality control inspectors.
Despite technological advances in quality control in many industries, automation cannot replace all tasks that inspectors do. Inspections and validation will continue to be needed for many products, including those that require testing for taste, texture, or performance.
AI exposure: moderate
BLS places this occupation in its moderate relative AI exposure category, below the middle of the pack: some of the work overlaps with what AI can do, much of it does not.
Getting in
How to become a quality inspector
Quality control inspectors typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training once employed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)69.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate26.9%
- Some College Courses2.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 69.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 26.9% |
| Some College Courses | 2.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a quality inspector do?
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.
Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
- Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
- Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
- Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- Read blueprints, data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and testing procedures, adjustment methods, certification processes, formulas, or measuring instruments required.
- Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.
- Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
- Monitor production operations or equipment to ensure conformance to specifications, making necessary process or assembly adjustments.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most quality control inspectors work full time. Some inspectors work evenings, overnight, or weekend shifts. Shift assignments may be based on seniority. Overtime may be required to meet production deadlines.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Manufacturing64%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services10%
- Administrative and support services7%
- Wholesale trade6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 64% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 10% |
| Administrative and support services | 7% |
| Wholesale trade | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Writing3.3
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Mathematics2.6
- Active Learning2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Writing | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Quality Control Analysis3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Operation and Control2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Content workflow software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a quality inspector?
Women make up 35.8% of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole.
22.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 41.9 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 35.8%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 41.9All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 22.4%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 737,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 35.8% | 47.1% |
| White | 74.0% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 13.9% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 8.6% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 22.4% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 22.4% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 13.2% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a quality inspector?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.7
- Conventional5.4
- Investigative3.4
- Enterprising1.4
- Artistic1.0
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
- Production
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assembler
$45,930median a year
Most earn $35K to $63K
+4.6%Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed - Production
Aircraft Structure, Surface, Rigging, and Systems Assembler
$65,380median a year
Most earn $47K to $108K
−5.6%High school - Production
Electromechanical Equipment Assembler
$45,930median a year
Most earn $35K to $63K
+4.6%Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed - Office and Administrative Support
Weigher, Measurer, Checker, and Sampler, Recordkeeping
$46,380median a year
Most earn $35K to $61K
−4.8%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher$48,570
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher | $48,570 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within inspector, tester, sorter, sampler, and weigher
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher appears on
Questions
Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, and Weigher: frequently asked questions
How much do quality inspectors make?
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn a median of $48,570 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 5% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $23.35/hr. The middle half earn between $39,890 and $61,440. The top 10% earn $77,860 or more.
How much do quality inspectors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers is $23.35 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $48,570 annual median works out to about $4,050 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a quality inspector?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers earn less than $35,510 a year and the bottom quarter less than $39,890 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do quality inspectors make $100k?
Rarely. Even the 90th percentile is $77,860, so fewer than 10% of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers earn $100,000 or more (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No state's median reaches $100,000; the highest is Alaska at $78,150.
Which states pay quality inspectors the most?
The highest state medians for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers are Alaska ($78,150), Washington ($64,420), Maryland ($61,790) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of quality inspector earns the most?
BLS does not split inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $77,860, against a median of $48,570 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are Alaska ($78,150), Washington ($64,420), Maryland ($61,790). BLS also counts 4 specialty careers inside this occupation (amusement ride inspector, luxury goods authenticator, robot data collection operator, trading card grader), which share its federal pay figures.
Do you need a degree to become a quality inspector?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 69.8% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
How long does it take to become a quality inspector?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for quality inspectors is a high school diploma or equivalent. Once hired, BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing some preparation.
Is quality inspector a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 2.5% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 66,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a quality inspector do?
Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications. A core O*NET task: inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Computer aided design CAD software, Content workflow software.
Do quality inspectors work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 51% of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers usually work more than 40 hours a week, 49% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 74% say their schedule is regular and 26% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a quality inspector?
O*NET scores Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of quality inspectors are women?
Women make up 35.8% of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers, against 47.1% of all employed people: more men than in the workforce as a whole. 22.4% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 41.9 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.