Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Quality Control Inspector Quality control inspectors usually receive up to one year of on-the-job
Education
Quality control inspectors typically need a high school diploma for entry-level jobs. Postsecondary certificate programs are available for instruction on quality control concepts, such as inspection planning and auditing. Students in these programs also gain familiarity with tools and technologies that quality control inspectors use. Some employers require or prefer to hire candidates who have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a field such as quality control management or engineering. Training Workers typically receive on-the-job training that lasts more than 1 month and up to 1 year. In some industries, such as automobile and aerospace manufacturing, inspectors train for the occupation in an apprenticeship program. Apprentices typically receive paid on-the-job training and instruction. Requirements for entering these programs, which are typically sponsored by trade associations or businesses, may include having a high school diploma, related work experience, or relevant licenses. Training for new inspectors may cover the use of special meters, gauges, computers, and other instruments; quality control techniques such as Six Sigma; blueprint reading; safety; and reporting requirements.
Training
. Quality control inspectors typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive on-the-job training once employed.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Although optional, certification may demonstrate a level of competence and professionalism that makes candidates more attractive to employers. It also may increase opportunities for advancement. Requirements for certification generally include a certain number of years of experience in the field and passing an exam. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of quality control inspectors is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 66,700 openings for quality control inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. 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. Employment 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. Quality Control Inspectors Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers 3% Other production occupations 0% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Quality Control Inspectors Do
Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.
Duties
Quality control inspectors typically do the following:
- Read blueprints and specifications
- Monitor operations to ensure that they meet production standards
- Recommend adjustments to the assembly or production process
- Inspect, test, or measure materials
- Measure products with calipers, gauges, or micrometers
- Operate electronic inspection equipment and software
- Accept or reject finished items
- Remove all products and materials that fail to meet specifications
- Report inspection and test data such as weights, temperatures, grades, moisture content, and quantities inspected
Quality control inspectors, also called testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers, monitor nearly all manufactured products to ensure that they meet specified standards. Job duties vary across the manufacturing industries in which most of these inspectors work, which include foods, glassware, motor vehicles, electronic components, and structural steel.
Quality control workers use a variety of tools. Although some still use hand-held measuring devices, such as calipers and alignment gauges, workers more commonly operate electronic inspection equipment, such as coordinate-measuring machines (CMMs) and three-dimensional (3D) scanners. Inspectors testing electrical devices may use voltmeters, ammeters, and ohmmeters to test potential difference, current flow, and resistance, respectively.
Quality control workers record the results of their inspections through test reports. When they find defects, inspectors notify supervisors and help to analyze and correct production problems.
Some manufacturers have automated inspection processes, with advanced vision inspection systems installed at one or several production points. Inspectors monitoring these automated systems check equipment, review output, and conduct random product checks.
The following are examples of types of quality control inspectors:
Materials inspectors check production materials by sight, sound, or feel to locate imperfections such as cuts, scratches, missing pieces, or crooked seams. Materials inspectors also may use devices such as infrared microscopes to analyze plastic, rubber, and other substances and to look for deterioration or defects.
Mechanical inspectors generally verify that parts fit, move correctly, and are properly lubricated. They may check the pressure of gases and the level of liquids, test the flow of electricity, and conduct test runs to ensure that machines run properly.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Quality control inspectors held about 602,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of quality control inspectors were as follows:
| Manufacturing | 64% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 10 |
| Administrative and support services | 7 |
| Wholesale trade | 6 |
Inspectors may be required to stand for long periods and may have to lift heavy items.
Injuries and Illnesses
Some quality control inspectors are exposed to loud noises, moving mechanical parts, and hazardous contaminants, such as airborne particles that irritate the eyes and skin. Workers typically wear protective eyewear, ear plugs, and appropriate clothing to help protect themselves from injury.
Work Schedules
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Detail oriented. Quality control inspectors must be able to focus to notice flaws or deficiencies in finished products or materials. Math skills. Knowledge of basic math is important for measuring, calibrating, and calculating specifications in quality control testing. Mechanical skills. Quality control inspectors use tools and machinery when testing products. Physical stamina. Some quality control inspectors must stand for long periods on the job. Physical strength. Quality control inspectors may be required to lift or maneuver heavy production materials or finished products. Technical skills. To ensure that products and parts meet quality standards, inspectors must understand the relevant blueprints, technical documents, and manuals.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about quality control inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.