Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary

The median inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers salary in the United States is $48,570 per year ($23.35/hour). Salaries range from $35,510 at the entry level to $77,860+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 597,370 inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 0% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Salary
$48,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.35
per hour
Employment
597,370
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$35,510
25th percentile
$39,890
Median
$48,570
75th percentile
$61,440
90th percentile
$77,860

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+0%
Slower than average

Annual Openings

69,900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weigherss.

Quality Control (QC) inspectors are the last line of defense before a part leaves the plant. They run coordinate measuring machines (CMMs β€” Zeiss, Hexagon, Mitutoyo, Nikon), execute first-article inspections (FAI per AS9102 in aerospace), maintain PPAP submissions for automotive (IATF 16949), and enforce FDA cGMP + ISO 13485 in medical device and pharma. Employers: Boeing + Lockheed Martin + GE Aerospace + Northrop Grumman (aerospace + AS9100), Ford + GM + Toyota + tier-1 suppliers (Bosch, Denso, Magna β€” IATF 16949), Medtronic + Stryker + J&J + Abbott (FDA cGMP), Pfizer + Merck + Eli Lilly (FDA cGMP pharma), Tyson + JBS + Cargill (USDA-inspected). Median $48,570; p10 $35,510 for entry visual inspection; p90 $77,860 for senior CMM programmers and CQE-certified quality engineers in aerospace / medical device. Employment 597k nationwide.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

CMM operation & programming (Zeiss Calypso, PC-DMIS, Hexagon MCOSMOS)
Load a part on the granite, home the probe, execute the DMIS program, interpret the printout against the drawing. Programming (offline in Calypso, PC-DMIS) is the biggest lever between entry and senior pay β€” $8-15/hr differential.
Hand-metrology (calipers, micrometers, height gauges, bore gauges, pin gauges)
Digital + Vernier calipers to 0.001", micrometers to 0.0001", height gauges + granite plate, pin gauges for hole diameter, thread gauges (go / no-go), depth micrometers, bore gauges. Every inspector owns a personal tool set.
GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5)
Read datum reference frames, position tolerances (βŒ–), profile of a surface, flatness, cylindricity, runout, MMC / LMC modifiers. Interpreting a GD&T print correctly is the difference between passing and rejecting a good part.
First Article Inspection (FAI per AS9102 aerospace)
Every drawing dimension, every note, every material spec verified and documented on Form 1, 2, 3. Signed and stamped; part cannot ship without a passed FAI. Delta-FAI required for any process, tooling, or supplier change.
PPAP + APQP (automotive IATF 16949)
Production Part Approval Process β€” 18-element package including design records, DFMEA / PFMEA, control plan, MSA, initial process studies, dimensional results, material certs. Level 3 submission is the industry default for new parts.
MSA + Gauge R&R
Measurement System Analysis β€” quantify how much of the process variation comes from the gauge itself. Gauge R&R: repeatability (same operator, same part) + reproducibility (different operators). Under 10% is acceptable, 10-30% marginal, over 30% is a scrap-generating gauge.
SPC + control charts + Minitab
X-bar R charts, Individuals-Moving Range, p / np / c / u charts. Cp / Cpk / Pp / Ppk process capability. Minitab is the standard tool; Excel + JMP for smaller shops.
Root-cause investigation (5 Why, Ishikawa, 8D)
When a defect escapes, own the containment (D3), root cause (D4 with 5 Why + Ishikawa), corrective action (D5-D6), and preventive action (D7). 8D reports are due to the customer within 24-72 hours in automotive.

How to Become a Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

  1. 1
    Finish high school or a GED; strong math + shop / metrology / blueprint reading
    Community-college certificate in Metrology / Quality Technology (Macomb, Sinclair, Pellissippi, Central Piedmont) or MTA / NIMS metrology credential accelerates hiring.
  2. 2
    Start as an entry visual / dimensional inspector
    $35-45k; audit incoming lots, run hand-metrology, learn the drawing package. Most inspectors start as line inspectors or receiving inspectors before moving to CMM.
  3. 3
    Get CMM-trained (offline programming is the biggest lever)
    Manufacturer-led classes (Zeiss Calypso, Hexagon PC-DMIS, Mitutoyo MCOSMOS) run $2-4k per week; often employer-paid. Programming skill is what separates $22/hr entry from $32-38/hr senior.
  4. 4
    Earn ASQ certifications (CQI β†’ CQT β†’ CQE)
    ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), then Technician (CQT), then Engineer (CQE β€” 4 yrs experience + BS or 8 yrs experience without). CQE is the salaried threshold at most Fortune 500 manufacturers.
  5. 5
    Specialize by industry β€” aerospace AS9100 / AS9102, auto IATF 16949 / PPAP, medical FDA cGMP / ISO 13485
    Industry-specific depth commands premium. AS9102 FAI in aerospace, PPAP + APQP in auto, batch-record review + CAPA in medical / pharma. Sr Quality Engineer track: $75-115k in aerospace + medical.

Career Progression

Entry Quality Inspector
0-2 yrs$35-48k ($17-23/hr)
  • β€’Receiving inspection: verify incoming lots against PO + drawing + material cert
  • β€’In-process visual + hand-metrology at defined AQL sample plan
  • β€’Complete inspection reports, red-tag rejects, feed data into SPC charts
  • β€’Escalate systemic defects to Quality Engineering
Next: CMM Operator / Sr Inspector at 2-4 years with CMM training + ASQ CQI.
CMM Operator / Sr Inspector
2-5 yrs$48-65k ($23-31/hr)
  • β€’Run CMM programs on the shop floor (Zeiss Calypso, PC-DMIS, MCOSMOS)
  • β€’Execute FAI per AS9102 (aerospace) or PPAP dimensional results (auto)
  • β€’Own gauge calibration schedule; maintain gauge R&R records
  • β€’Train new inspectors on hand-metrology + drawing interpretation
Next: CMM Programmer / Lead Inspector at 4-8 years with offline programming depth.
CMM Programmer / Lead Quality Inspector
5-10 yrs$62-85k ($30-41/hr)
  • β€’Write CMM programs offline from CAD + drawing; validate on the floor
  • β€’Own FAI + PPAP submissions for new-part introductions and customer PPAP resubmissions
  • β€’Run MSA / gauge R&R studies; own the calibration lab
  • β€’Lead 8D root-cause investigations with the ME + Production teams
Next: Quality Engineer at 8-12 years with ASQ CQE + BS Engineering (or 8 yr equivalent).
Quality Engineer / Sr Quality Engineer / Quality Manager
8+ yrs$75-115k salaried; Sr QE + Manager $95-145k+
  • β€’Own product-line quality metrics β€” DPPM, first-time-through, cost-of-poor-quality
  • β€’Lead APQP / PPAP for new parts; represent the plant in customer PPAP audits
  • β€’Own the CAPA system (medical device / pharma), non-conforming material, MRB
  • β€’Manage the inspection team + CMM cell; interface with customer quality reps (Boeing SQE, Ford STA, Medtronic supplier quality)
Next: Plant Quality Manager / Director of Quality ($130-190k+) or corporate quality role.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through how you'd inspect a critical dimension called out with position tolerance to two datums.technical
Read the drawing: identify the datum reference frame (datums A and B), the size feature, the position tolerance zone (usually cylindrical), and MMC / LMC modifiers. If MMC is applied, calculate the virtual condition and the resulting bonus tolerance as the feature grows. On the CMM, establish the datums first (A as a plane, B as a plane or line), measure the feature-of-size for actual size, then measure position from the datum reference frame. Report both the size and the true position with any bonus tolerance. Interviewers screen for whether you actually understand GD&T or just read the number off a report.
Q2. Describe a time you found a defect that had already shipped to a customer.behavioral
STAR. Situation: I was running an audit on a lot code and found that a torque callout was out of spec β€” the lot had shipped 2 weeks earlier. Task: contain before it hit the customer's assembly line. Action: I flagged the lot, opened a non-conformance report, escalated to the Quality Manager, called the customer's SQE, initiated an 8D. We physically retrieved the affected units from the customer's dock (before they were used), replaced them, and paid for the expedite. Result: no field failure, kept the customer, but we ate a $28k cost. The interviewer wants to hear that you own containment fast, escalate immediately, and never try to hide a miss.
Q3. What is Gauge R&R and when do you run one?technical
Gauge R&R (repeatability & reproducibility) is a study that quantifies how much of your total process variation comes from the measurement system itself, not the actual part. Repeatability: same operator measures the same part multiple times β€” variation is the gauge / method. Reproducibility: different operators measure the same part β€” variation is the operator technique. Run a Gauge R&R on any new gauge, any gauge on a critical characteristic, any time you introduce a new operator, and per the PPAP submission plan for automotive. Under 10% is acceptable, 10-30% marginal, over 30% is scrapping good parts.
Q4. How do you handle a production supervisor who's pushing you to release parts you've flagged as marginal?situational
Respectful but firm β€” the standard is the drawing. I'd first ask what data they're seeing: is this a repeat marginal or a one-off? If a repeat, I open a non-conformance and go to MRB with the Quality Engineer + supervisor + ME. If they're still pushing after the data is on the table, I escalate to the QE and QA Manager. I never sign off a marginal part outside of MRB; my stamp is my career. Interviewers love this question β€” they want inspectors who won't cave under production pressure.
Q5. Why quality?culture
The answer that resonates: I like being the last line of defense before the customer. I like problem-solving β€” root cause is a puzzle. I like the discipline of standards β€” every drawing has one right answer. I want a career track that has a ladder (QI β†’ CMM β†’ QE β†’ Manager). Avoid: 'I don't want to be on the line anymore.' Interviewers hear that as low motivation for the actual work.

Resume Template β€” Entry Quality Inspector (0-2 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Entry Quality Inspector (0-2 yrs)
  • β–ΈRan receiving + in-process inspection on 42-part product line; hit 100% on-time inspection with 0 escaped defects in FY24.
  • β–ΈTrained on hand-metrology to 0.0001" using calipers, micrometers, height gauges; ASQ CQI certified 8 months in.
  • β–ΈContributed 12 non-conformance reports leading to 4 supplier corrective actions and $185k in scrap avoidance.
  • β–ΈAS9102 FAI trained + Zeiss Calypso Level 1 CMM operator + LOTO qualified.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Cannot interpret GD&T basics β€” position tolerance, datum reference frames, profile of a surface.
  • βœ—Signs FAI or dimensional reports without physically verifying every dimension β€” falsified records end careers permanently in aerospace + medical.
  • βœ—Caves under production pressure to release marginal parts β€” the entire job is holding the standard.
  • βœ—No familiarity with hand-metrology (calipers, micrometers, height gauges); relies exclusively on the CMM printout.
  • βœ—Cannot articulate what a control chart shows or when a special-cause signal has triggered.
  • βœ—Sloppy documentation β€” non-conformance reports, MRB minutes, and CAPA records are audit evidence.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“CMM programming (offline in Zeiss Calypso, PC-DMIS, MCOSMOS) is worth $6-12/hr over operator-only.
  • βœ“AS9100 aerospace or ISO 13485 medical device experience is a 10-20% premium over generalist quality.
  • βœ“ASQ CQI β†’ CQT β†’ CQE certifications each add $2-5/hr; CQE + BS Engineering pushes salaried offers.
  • βœ“Second / third shift differential: 2nd shift +5-8%, 3rd shift +10-15%.
  • βœ“Industry: aerospace + medical device pay 10-20% more than general manufacturing; food + pharma add a night-shift premium.
  • βœ“Sign-on bonuses of $3-10k for CMM programmers in metros with tight supply (Wichita, Everett, Charleston, Cincinnati, Warsaw IN).
  • βœ“OT: quality inspectors often carry $8-18k in annual OT during launches and PPAP submissions.

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Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$40K
$78Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

Alaska
$78K
+61%
Washington
$64K
+33%
Maryland
$62K
+27%
Hawaii
$60K
+23%
District of Columbia
$60K
+23%
Colorado
$58K
+20%
Montana
$58K
+20%
Wyoming
$58K
+19%
Delaware
$57K
+18%
Minnesota
$57K
+18%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
Alaska$78,150+60.9%
Washington$64,420+32.6%
Maryland$61,790+27.2%
Hawaii$59,740+23.0%
District of Columbia$59,730+23.0%
Colorado$58,350+20.1%
Montana$58,070+19.6%
Wyoming$57,900+19.2%
Delaware$57,190+17.7%
Minnesota$57,170+17.7%
1–10 of 51

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Lexington Park, MD$92,000+89.4%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$76,800+58.1%
Savannah, GA$72,800+49.9%
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$71,950+48.1%
Anchorage, AK$71,470+47.1%
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA$68,060+40.1%
Flagstaff, AZ$65,840+35.6%
Bismarck, ND$63,910+31.6%
Lake Charles, LA$63,570+30.9%
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS$63,520+30.8%
1–10 of 391
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
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πŸ“ˆ See how inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers salaries have changed over the past decade.
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