What Does it Take to Be an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher?
Job 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.
A Day in the Life of an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher
- Disassemble defective parts or components, such as inaccurate or worn gauges or measuring instruments.
- Monitor machines that automatically measure, sort, or inspect products.
- Analyze test data, making computations as necessary, to determine test results.
- Administer tests to assess whether engineers or operators are qualified to use equipment.
- Check arriving materials to ensure that they match purchase orders, submitting discrepancy reports as necessary.
- Collect or select samples for testing or for use as models.
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Skills Needed to be an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher
Below is a list of the skills most Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers say are important on the job.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Other Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher Job Titles
- Triple Air-Valve Tester
- Bobbin Sorter
- Leak Inspector
- Grader
- Testing, Shaking, Shipping
Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher Employment Estimates
There were about 520,700 jobs for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher. The BLS estimates 52,700 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher are Nevada, North Dakota, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers ranges between about $23,550 and $65,510 a year.

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,960 |
Alaska | $71,510 |
Arizona | $40,680 |
Arkansas | $33,900 |
California | $45,120 |
Colorado | $46,880 |
Connecticut | $51,260 |
Delaware | $41,030 |
District of Columbia | $60,460 |
Florida | $40,250 |
Georgia | $37,880 |
Hawaii | $36,960 |
Idaho | $37,410 |
Illinois | $41,610 |
Indiana | $39,580 |
Iowa | $42,490 |
Kansas | $44,850 |
Kentucky | $39,510 |
Louisiana | $50,670 |
Maine | $46,140 |
Maryland | $48,650 |
Massachusetts | $46,510 |
Michigan | $36,550 |
Minnesota | $42,470 |
Mississippi | $35,850 |
Missouri | $42,860 |
Montana | $48,630 |
Nebraska | $41,820 |
Nevada | $39,850 |
New Hampshire | $44,020 |
New Jersey | $42,770 |
New Mexico | $54,690 |
New York | $42,580 |
North Carolina | $37,370 |
North Dakota | $52,620 |
Ohio | $41,510 |
Oklahoma | $45,060 |
Oregon | $43,540 |
Pennsylvania | $41,850 |
Rhode Island | $44,660 |
South Carolina | $39,110 |
South Dakota | $36,250 |
Tennessee | $37,380 |
Texas | $42,500 |
Utah | $39,450 |
Vermont | $45,840 |
Virginia | $41,500 |
Washington | $59,310 |
West Virginia | $45,630 |
Wisconsin | $40,750 |
Wyoming | $51,380 |
What Tools & Technology do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft SharePoint
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- IBM Notes
- FileMaker Pro
- Extensible markup language XML
- R
- Minitab
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Medical condition coding software
Becoming an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher
What kind of Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher?

Where Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Work

Below are examples of industries where Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers work:

Similar Careers
Career changers with experience as an Inspector, Tester, Sorter, Sampler, or Weigher sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Gina Collecchia via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
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