Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
SOC code 51-9061 · O*NET-SOC 51-9061.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$48,570
a year
Hourly
$23.35
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$53,450
$25.70 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,890 – $61,440
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,510 – $77,860
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
597,370
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,510
- $17.07/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,890
- $19.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $48,570
- $23.35/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,440
- $29.54/hr
- 90th percentile
- $77,860
- $37.44/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
0%
Little or no change expected
598,000
jobs in 2024
598,100
projected for 2034
About 100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 70% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)70%
- Post-Secondary Certificate27%
- Some College Courses3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree1%
Common questions
How much does an inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers earn?
The national median is $48,570 a year. The full range runs from $35,510 at the 10th percentile to $77,860 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 0% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Writing3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing4.3/5
- English Language3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Mathematics3.1/5
- Computers and Electronics2.9/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
- Engineering and Technology2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Monitoring, Time Management.