Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Career, Salary and Skills
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $48,570 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 597,370. Wage data is published for 442 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
51-9061.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$48,570
Hourly median
$23.35
Employment
597,370
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.75 | 3.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.12 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.12 | 2.75 |
| Active Listening | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Speaking | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Time Management | 3.00 | 2.75 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
Technology
- Apache Hive
- Apache Pig
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computer assisted design software
- Computer-aided inspection software
- Coordinate measuring machine software
- Cybermetrics GAGETrak
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Data analysis software
- Data entry software
- Database software
- Design of experiments DOE software
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in CAMedian $54,300 · Employment 61,130
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in TXMedian $46,210 · Employment 56,390
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in OHMedian $47,360 · Employment 32,060
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in ILMedian $47,920 · Employment 31,700
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in MIMedian $44,490 · Employment 27,980
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in PAMedian $48,320 · Employment 25,870
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in INMedian $47,900 · Employment 24,790
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $48,230 · Employment 23,080
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in FLMedian $47,540 · Employment 22,630
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $51,560 · Employment 22,610
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in GAMedian $46,130 · Employment 19,980
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in NYMedian $49,990 · Employment 19,790
Related careers
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- MachinistsNational median $58,750
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $47,720
- Mechanical EngineersNational median $104,110
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and TechniciansNational median $74,510
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.