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Quality Control Inspector

Overview and Key Facts

quality control inspector worker in protective suit
Education
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Pay
Median Pay
$47,460
Job Growth
Job Growth
0.00%
(Below US Average)
Jobs in 2034
Jobs in 2034
598,100

What Do They Do?

A quality control inspector could...

 
smart home technology
Test and verify all microchips are made to spec to work properly in your home's smart technology.
airplane interior near the exit door
Check to make sure bolts correctly fit and are correctly tightened on an aircraft's emergency exit doors during final inspection.
denim designer jeans
Examine designer jeans for defects and determine why the defect occurred.
artificial knee joint replacement
Test the metal parts used in an artificial joint implant to verify hardness and strength.
 
smart home technology airplane interior near the exit door denim designer jeans artificial knee joint replacement

Overview Listen to this section

Imagine having the superpower to ensure that everything around us is top-notch and meets the highest standards. As a Quality Control Inspector, you become a super detective. You inspect and test products like toys, technology and cars. You make sure the products are perfect before they reach the hands of customers. Paying attention to detail and commitment to perfection leads to making sure every item is made exactly as it should be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTxteXoiAA

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Quality Control Inspector?


  1. Quality Control Analysis: ?
  2. Writing: ?
  3. Critical Thinking: ?
  4. Judgment and Decision Making: ?
  5. Active Listening: ?
More skills...

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Quality Control Inspector might do:
  • Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
  • Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
  • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
  • Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
  • Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
  • Write test or inspection reports describing results, recommendations, or needed repairs.
  • Recommend necessary corrective actions, based on inspection results.
  • Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.
  • Make minor adjustments to equipment, such as turning setscrews to calibrate instruments to required tolerances.
  • Read blueprints, data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and testing procedures, adjustment methods, certification processes, formulas, or measuring instruments required.
  • Monitor production operations or equipment to ensure conformance to specifications, making necessary process or assembly adjustments.
  • Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content, and quantities inspected or graded.
  • Position products, components, or parts for testing.
  • Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
  • Collect or select samples for testing or for use as models.
  • Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

Tap or scroll over map to see median salaries for each state

Future Jobs

Blast-Off:

How Will Quality Control Inspector Jobs Grow by 2034?
Projected % Growth
Rapid growth
(10% or higher)
Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)
Faster than average
(5% - 7%)
About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)
Slower than average
(0% - 3%)
Decreasing
Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)
Quality Control Inspector jobs (0.00%)
Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Quality Control Inspector

High School Subjects to Study

Aim to study the yellow-shaded subjects.
Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Statistics
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Environmental Science
Physiology
Bio-Medical / Biotech
IT &
Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Technology
Drafting & CAD Training
Core
English
Foreign Language
Business
Psychology / Sociology

Career Pathway Listen to this section

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.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Degree
Post
high school credential
AA
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctoral or Professional Degree

Typical degree for an entry-level position: High school diploma or equivalent ? Types of Degrees and Credentials

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.

Companies That Hire Quality Control Inspectors

  • onsemi
  • Cargill
  • International Paper
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Eaton Corporation
  • SpaceX

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

On the Job

Role Models

Quality Control Inspector Career
Someone that wants to be an inspector should definitely be detail-oriented... And I also think that patience is really important for inspection, just because we do have some larger jobs that do have more requirements and are a little bit more in depth. 
- Casey, Final Inspector, Lee Company
A Day in the Life of an Xometry Senior Virtual Quality Control Inspector
My training is all hands-on and taught by people more knowledgeable than myself. I learned by asking questions and making mistakes the old-fashioned way. 
- Amy Hall, Senior Virtual Quality Control Inspector, Xometry

Nature of the Work

Quality control inspectors are also called testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers. They 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. They could work in areas such as 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

Quality control inspectors generally work in a manufacturing facility, but also can work in professional or technical, administrative or wholesale environment. Inspectors may be required to stand for long periods and may have to lift heavy items.

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.

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.

More Information

Ask Questions

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