All careers › Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Inspector: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $35,510lowest 10% earn less
- $39,89025th percentile
- $48,570median
- $61,44075th percentile
- $77,860top 10% earn more
The median pay for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers was $48,570 a year in May 2025[1]. The usual entry point is a high school diploma plus on-the-job training[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +2.5%[5]
- Openings per year
- 66,700[6]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[2]
How much do inspectors make?
The official BLS category is Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers. In May 2025, the median wage was $48,570 a year, or $23.35 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $53,450 a year, or $25.70 an hour[7].
For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[4]. So the median for this group sits a little below that figure.
Here is the spread of annual wages[3]:
| Point | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][8] | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| 25th percentile[3][8] | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Median[1] | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 75th percentile[3][8] | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| 90th percentile[3][8] | $77,860 | $37.44 |
A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $35,510, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $77,860[3][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
These figures cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10].
Pay by state and city
Alaska had the highest median annual wage at $78,150, though it had only 300 jobs[11]. Washington came next at $64,420, then Maryland at $61,790[11]. Alabama had the lowest median in the list at $40,010[11].
California had the most jobs at 61,130, followed by Texas at 56,390 and Ohio at 32,060[12]. Illinois (31,700) and Michigan (27,980) rounded out the top five[12].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Lexington Park, MD had the highest median at $92,000[13]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA followed at $76,800, then Savannah, GA at $72,800[13]. The metro area with the most jobs was Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, with 23,080 and a median of $48,230[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA was next with 22,610 jobs and a median of $51,560[14].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska[11] | $78,150 | 300 |
| Washington | $64,420 | 12,010 |
| Maryland | $61,790 | 4,600 |
| Hawaii | $59,740 | 650 |
| District of Columbia | $59,730 | 70 |
| Colorado | $58,350 | 5,220 |
| Montana | $58,070 | 580 |
| Wyoming | $57,900 | 990 |
| Delaware | $57,190 | 1,020 |
| Minnesota | $57,170 | 9,710 |
| Connecticut | $57,090 | 7,460 |
| Rhode Island | $54,940 | 1,790 |
| New Hampshire | $54,800 | 3,050 |
| Missouri | $54,420 | 12,480 |
| California | $54,300 | 61,130 |
| Oregon | $54,120 | 5,690 |
| Kansas | $53,680 | 9,300 |
| Maine | $53,570 | 1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $52,270 | 10,650 |
| Arizona | $52,100 | 11,120 |
| Nebraska | $51,270 | 3,350 |
| North Dakota | $50,820 | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $50,740 | 7,230 |
| New York | $49,990 | 19,790 |
| Oklahoma | $49,630 | 7,430 |
| Wisconsin | $49,610 | 17,670 |
| Virginia | $49,590 | 9,830 |
| New Mexico | $49,500 | 1,550 |
| Louisiana | $49,490 | 8,110 |
| Nevada | $49,280 | 4,040 |
| New Jersey | $49,140 | 12,280 |
| Utah | $48,910 | 6,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,320 | 25,870 |
| Illinois | $47,920 | 31,700 |
| Indiana | $47,900 | 24,790 |
| Florida | $47,540 | 22,630 |
| Ohio | $47,360 | 32,060 |
| South Dakota | $47,240 | 1,090 |
| West Virginia | $47,010 | 2,720 |
| South Carolina | $46,890 | 13,360 |
| North Carolina | $46,430 | 19,700 |
| Kentucky | $46,280 | 12,880 |
| Texas | $46,210 | 56,390 |
| Vermont | $46,210 | 900 |
| Georgia | $46,130 | 19,980 |
| Tennessee | $45,760 | 17,140 |
| Idaho | $45,130 | 2,900 |
| Arkansas | $44,570 | 5,880 |
| Michigan | $44,490 | 27,980 |
| Mississippi | $40,670 | 6,970 |
| Alabama | $40,010 | 13,120 |
How to become an inspector
The path is short. The details below come from a profile of quality control inspectors, one part of this wider group.
- First: Finish high school. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical education for entry, and no work experience in a related job is needed[2].
- Next: Expect on-the-job training. It typically runs longer than a month and can last up to a year[15]. It may cover measuring instruments, computers, quality control methods, blueprint reading, safety and reporting rules[16].
- Then: Consider extra training. Postsecondary certificate programs teach quality control ideas, for example inspection planning and auditing[17]. Some employers want candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree, for example in quality control management or engineering[18].
Inspectors in some industries, including automobile and aerospace manufacturing, train through apprenticeship programs. These give paid on-the-job training and instruction[19].
Certification is optional. It can make a candidate more attractive to employers and may open doors to advancement[20]. It usually requires some years of experience and passing an exam[20].
In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 70% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, and 27% said a post-secondary certificate[21].
Useful qualities include attention to detail, basic math, and comfort with tools and machinery[22][23][24].
What inspectors do
Inspectors check raw materials, parts and finished products for defects, wear and differences from specifications[25]. Common tasks include:
- Rejecting products, materials or equipment that do not meet specifications[26].
- Marking items with details such as grade or accept or reject status[26].
- Measuring product dimensions with tools such as calipers, gauges or micrometers[26].
- Telling supervisors about production problems[26].
- Writing inspection reports and recommending fixes[26].
- Reading dials and meters to confirm equipment works at the right levels[26].
- Reading blueprints and manuals to learn the specifications and test methods[26].
Workers report job titles such as quality control inspector, QA technician and quality auditor[27].
Where they work
In 2025, manufacturing was the largest employer of quality control inspectors, at 64%[28]. Some inspectors must stand for long periods and may lift heavy items[29]. Some face loud noise, moving machine parts and irritating airborne particles, and they usually wear protective gear[30].
Most quality control inspectors work full time[31]. Some work evenings, overnight or weekend shifts, and shifts may be assigned by seniority[31]. Overtime may be needed to meet production deadlines[31].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment in this group to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 602,000 to 617,200 jobs[5]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[32]. So this group is expected to grow more slowly than the overall average.
BLS projects about 66,700 openings a year on average[6]. The count includes positions left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, about 4% of workers leave the labor force and 6.7% move to a different occupation[33]. Only 1.2% were self-employed in 2025[34].
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to a job with a low barrier to entry. It asks for a high school diploma and up to a year of on-the-job training[2][15]. The median pay is slightly below the all-occupations median, but the range is wide, from $35,510 at the 10th percentile to $77,860 at the 90th[1][4][3]. Growth is projected below the all-occupations rate, and about 66,700 openings a year are projected[5][32][6]. The quality control inspector profile mentions standing, lifting and noise, and some of those inspectors work evening, overnight or weekend shifts[29][30][31].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an inspector make an hour?
- The median was $23.35 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $17.07 and the 90th was $37.44[8].
- What education do you need to be an inspector?
- The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with no related work experience needed[2].
- How long does it take to learn the job?
- On-the-job training typically runs longer than a month and can last up to a year[15].
- Are inspector jobs in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][32]. About 66,700 openings a year are projected[6].
- Which state pays inspectors the most?
- Alaska had the highest median annual wage at $78,150, followed by Washington at $64,420[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the US was $48,570 per year and $23.35 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: 10th percentile $35,510, 25th percentile $39,890, 75th percentile $61,440, 90th percentile $77,860. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 602,000 to 617,200 jobs (a change of +15,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 66,700 openings for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers was $53,450 per year and $25.70 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: 10th percentile $17.07, 25th percentile $19.18, 75th percentile $29.54, 90th percentile $37.44. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers jobs: California 61,130; Texas 56,390; Ohio 32,060; Illinois 31,700; Michigan 27,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Lexington Park, MD $92,000; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $76,800; Savannah, GA $72,800; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $71,950; Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $68,060; Flagstaff, AZ $65,840; Lake Charles, LA $63,570; Gulfport-Biloxi, MS $63,520. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 23,080 (median $48,230); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 22,610 (median $51,560); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 16,520 (median $46,630); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 16,440 (median $46,210); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 16,370 (median $50,160); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 10,610 (median $45,400). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 51-9061.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 70%, Post-Secondary Certificate 27% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 51-9061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Inspector, QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor), QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector), QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician), QC Technician (Quality Control Technician), Quality Auditor, Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector), Quality Inspector. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of quality control inspectors in 2025: Manufacturing 64%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: 4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.2% of Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.