What Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications"; "Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications"; "Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content, and quantities inspected or graded"; "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".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 602,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 617,200 in 2035, an increase of 15,200 jobs (+2.5%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 66,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 11.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,570, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn the most
Across the 13 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $44,589 in Michigan to $66,938 in Washington, a gap of $22,349 (1.50 times). 9 of those 13 states average above the BLS national median of $48,570 and 4 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 58,540, which is 15.1% of the 388,200 counted across them. Indiana follows with 55,730.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($66,938), Maryland ($55,285) and California ($53,821) lead the ranking, while Michigan ($44,589) and Texas ($46,215) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 15 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in King County, WA (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA) at $29,369. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $607 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 14 of the 15 markets and falls short in 1. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 35.8% and 81.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-9000) include Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders, Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators, Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders and Helpers--Production Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
How much do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,570. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $44,589 to $66,938.
Which state pays Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $66,938. Maryland is next at $55,285.
Is Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 66,700 openings a year.
What education do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, King County, WA leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $29,369 on a median wage of $76,800.