Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Also called Inspector, Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector), Quality Inspector, or Quality Technician
What Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers do
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 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.
Who tends to enjoy it
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
What you'd actually do
- 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.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Quality Control Analysis
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
What you'll need to know
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Quality Control Technology / Technician 67 colleges
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 51-9061.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.