Quality Control Inspector
Quality control inspectors are responsible for ensuring that the products and services produced by their company meet certain standards of quality. They commonly inspect raw materials, semi-finished goods, or finished products to look for defects or other issues that might affect the quality of the product.
Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from manufacturer or industry specifications. These workers monitor quality standards for nearly all manufactured products, including electronic components, computers, machinery, etc. Specific job duties vary across the wide range of industries in which these inspectors work.
Job Overview
Salary
Workplace
How to Start
Job Overview
What does a Quality Control Inspector do?
A quality control inspector is responsible for the generation of a strategic plan to improve the business processes and increase production output. Duties include creating the company’s quality standards and testing systems to reflect efficiency, reliability and performance.
Quality control inspectors are also responsible for the creation of documentation that reports issues and errors relating to the production process with efforts placed to find a solution. Depending on the industry and organization, the typical career advancement for a quality control inspector is in a managerial or executive position.
Other valuable skills include a high proficiency in computer technology including Microsoft Office applications and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Detail Oriented
Quality control inspectors need to have excellent attention to detail to ensure they notice any defects in a product. This can include noticing small changes in the appearance of a product or noticing small changes in the sound of a product.
Communication Skills
Quality control inspectors communicate with many people throughout their workday, including other inspectors, managers, engineers, suppliers and customers. Effective communication skills can help you to convey information clearly and to understand the information others are sending you.
Problem Solving Skills
Quality control inspectors use problem-solving skills to identify and address issues in production processes. They use these skills to identify the source of a problem, develop a solution and implement the solution to ensure production standards are met.
Quality Assurance
Quality control inspectors use industry standards to ensure the quality of a product or service meets the expectations of the company or client they’re working with. Having a strong understanding of industry standards can help you identify if a product or service is of high quality.
Salary
How much does a Quality Control Inspector make?
The average Quality Control Inspector salary in the United States is $164,484. The range for the most popular Quality Control Inspector positions typically falls between $40,482 and $288,486. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
These are 2025 national salary averages and may fluctuate based on location.
Workplace
What does the workplace for a Quality Control Inspector look like?
The average Quality Control Inspector salary in the United States is $164,484. The range for the most popular Quality Control Inspector positions typically falls between $40,482 and $288,486. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
These are 2025 national salary averages and may fluctuate based on location.
What does the workplace for a Quality Control Inspector look like?
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Work environments vary by industry and establishment size. As a result, some inspectors examine similar products for an entire shift. Others examine a variety of items. In manufacturing, it is common for most inspectors to stay at one workstation.
Inspectors in some industries may be on their feet all day and may have to lift heavy objects. In other industries, workers may sit during their shift and read electronic printouts of data. Workers in heavy-manufacturing plants may be exposed to the noise and grime of machinery. In other plants, inspectors work in clean, air-conditioned environments suitable for testing products. Although the work is generally not dangerous, some workers may be exposed to airborne particles, which may irritate the eyes and skin. As a result, workers typically wear protective eyewear, ear plugs, and appropriate clothing.
Although most quality control inspectors work full time during regular business hours, some inspectors work evenings or weekends. The most desirable shifts are generally given to workers who have seniority. Overtime may be required to meet production deadlines.
How to Start
How to become a Quality Control Inspector?
Education:
A high school diploma is often a minimum requirement for quality control inspectors. Some employers may prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in quality assurance, quality control or a related field. Courses in mathematics, statistics, chemistry and biology can be helpful for quality control inspectors.
Training & Experience:
Quality control inspectors typically receive on-the-job training. This training may include shadowing an experienced inspector or performing duties under the supervision of a more experienced employee. Training may also include reviewing company policies and procedures and learning about the specific products or services the company offers.
