Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
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.
Common Job Titles
- Inspector
- Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector)
- Quality Inspector
- Quality Technician
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- Hands-onOperate precision measuring instruments including micrometers, calipers, and coordinate measuring machines in manufacturing environments to verify dimensional specifications.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate product and material compliance with quality standards using established specifications and regulatory requirements.Proficient
- KnowledgeCompare physical characteristics of products against engineering drawings and specifications using optical comparators and measurement software.Proficient
- KnowledgeDistinguish acceptable product variations from critical defects through visual inspection and mechanical testing in high-volume manufacturing settings.Proficient
- Hands-onPerform non-destructive testing procedures using ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and eddy current flaw detectors following safety protocols and manufacturer guidelines.Developing
- KnowledgeAnalyze inspection data and measurement results using statistical process control methods to identify trends and deviations.Developing
- KnowledgeApply quality control procedures and testing protocols across diverse production materials including machined parts and assembled components.Developing
- Hands-onExecute sorting and sampling operations handling materials efficiently while maintaining accuracy under production deadlines.Developing
- KnowledgeSummarize inspection findings and quality documentation in written reports for supervisors and cross-functional teams.Developing
- MindsetEngage in collaborative problem-solving with production and engineering personnel when addressing quality defects and process improvements.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
591,180
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $34,590. 25th percentile: U.S. $38,740. 50th percentile: U.S. $47,460. 75th percentile: U.S. $59,970. 90th percentile: U.S. $75,510. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $34,590 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $75,510 |
| Workers on average earn | $51,670 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Production and Processing4.3/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Apache Hive
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Extensible markup language XML
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
- R
- SAP software
- Selenium
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
Technology Skills
- Apache Pig
- Computer assisted design software
- Computer-aided inspection software
- Coordinate measuring machine software
- Cybermetrics GAGETrak
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Data analysis software
- Data entry software
Tools & Equipment
- Accelerometers
- Ammeters
- Backplane testers
- Beta gauges
- Bit error rate testers BERT
- Bubble leak testers
- Calipers
- Calorimetric leak testers