Quality Control Inspector Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska AK | $71,470 | $34.36/hr | $59,958 | 80 | Anchorage, AK | 119.2 |
| #2 | Maryland MD | $62,797 | $30.19/hr | $57,454 | 2,760 | Lexington Park, MD | 109.3 |
| #3 | District of Columbia DC | $61,820 | $29.72/hr | $38,904 | 2,770 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #4 | Hawaii HI | $60,645 | $29.16/hr | $37,297 | 570 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 162.6 |
| #5 | Montana MT | $59,126 | $28.43/hr | $52,838 | 370 | Bozeman, MT | 111.9 |
| #6 | Washington WA | $57,355 | $27.57/hr | $50,847 | 10,850 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 112.8 |
| #7 | Wyoming WY | $57,050 | $27.43/hr | $56,597 | 370 | Cheyenne, WY | 100.8 |
| #8 | Colorado CO | $56,618 | $27.22/hr | $48,309 | 4,950 | Boulder, CO | 117.2 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Visual inspection, measurement calipers, rejection log documentation
CMM operation, blueprint GD&T interpretation, non-conformance reports
Six Sigma green belt, statistical process control (SPC), ISO 9001 audits
Plant quality management system, vendor audits, compliance signoff
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Quality Control Inspector: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Industrial Manufacturing Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Industrial Manufacturing occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Quality Control Inspector. Official 2026 economic data for Quality Control Inspector compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Quality Control Inspector range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Quality Control Inspector: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Quality Control Inspector is $48,570 per year ($23.35/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 388 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $33,240 in Victoria, TX to $92,000 in Lexington Park, MD.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Quality Control Inspector
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs 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% |
| Wichita, KS | $63,030 | +29.8% |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $63,000 | +29.7% |