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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary

$47,460

Typical range

$35k – $76k

Job outlook

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AI exposure

Plan a path to Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

    Entry / Junior

    $34,590

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

    Established

    $47,460

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

    Senior

    $61,485

Key skills

A typical day

  • 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.

Fields of study

Any field

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