Testers: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Testers repeatedly test existing products or prototypes under real-world conditions. Through these tests, manufacturers determine how long a product will last, what parts will break down first, and how to improve durability.
- Job Outlook
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The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: -11% (Decline)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Licenses/Certifications
- The American Society for Quality (ASQ) offers various certifications, including a designation for Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), and numerous sources of information and various levels of Six Sigma certifications. Although certification is not required, it can demonstrate competence and professionalism, making candidates more attractive to employers. It can also increase opportunities for advancement. Requirements for certification generally include a certain number of years of experience in the field and passing an exam.
- Median pay: How much do Quality Control Inspectors make?
- $36,780 Annual Salary
- $17.68 per hour
Careers for Quality Control Inspectors
- Ampoule examiners
- Bag graders
- Cigarette examiners
- Compressed gas testers
- Inspectors
- Machined parts quality inspectors
- Materials inspectors
- Mechanical inspectors
- Petroleum samplers
- Quality assurance inspectors
- Quality inspectors
- Samplers
- Sorters
- Spark plug testers
- Weighers