51
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers is a notable career in the 51 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 51-9061 |
| title | Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers |
| onet code | 51-9061.00 |
| 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. |
| job zone | 2 |
| major group | 51 |
| tot emp | 591,180 |
| a mean | 51,670 |
| a median | 47,460 |
| a pct10 | 34,590 |
| a pct25 | 38,740 |
| a pct75 | 59,970 |
| a pct90 | 75,510 |
| h mean | 24 |
| h median | 22 |
The day-to-day work of a inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers typically centers on discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Quality Control Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Writing. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.17 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (69.8%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 0% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
Median annual pay is highest in Alaska at $98,800 and lowest in Alabama at $39,190 — a 2.5× spread. The top five states (Alaska, District of Columbia, Wyoming, Maryland, Washington) average $69,184. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $98,800 | $91,860 | $40,240 | $137,960 | 220 |
| District of Columbia | $70,030 | $86,200 | $44,420 | $125,780 | 110 |
| Wyoming | $59,930 | $64,920 | $40,600 | $101,610 | 960 |
| Maryland | $58,710 | $60,650 | $35,900 | $94,050 | 4,100 |
| Washington | $58,450 | $64,720 | $39,150 | $103,570 | 12,090 |
| Montana | $57,520 | $63,480 | $37,480 | $100,560 | 610 |
| Colorado | $56,370 | $59,150 | $40,860 | $81,070 | 4,800 |
| Kansas | $55,930 | $58,040 | $37,440 | $78,370 | 8,490 |
| Hawaii | $54,800 | $56,800 | $32,570 | $93,200 | 550 |
| Connecticut | $54,230 | $61,490 | $38,090 | $99,140 | 8,310 |
| Delaware | $53,110 | $54,820 | $36,570 | $78,780 | 1,230 |
| Minnesota | $52,390 | $55,430 | $40,250 | $73,740 | 10,510 |
| Oregon | $52,170 | $57,170 | $39,350 | $79,750 | 6,240 |
| Rhode Island | $51,810 | $58,650 | $33,210 | $95,430 | 1,800 |
| New Hampshire | $51,450 | $55,780 | $39,810 | $77,770 | 3,110 |
| North Dakota | $51,340 | $56,800 | $41,690 | $75,830 | 1,800 |
| Missouri | $50,740 | $55,630 | $37,340 | $74,870 | 12,080 |
| Arizona | $50,620 | $56,070 | $38,920 | $77,520 | 9,700 |
| California | $50,430 | $57,580 | $37,830 | $82,680 | 60,280 |
| Nebraska | $50,430 | $51,710 | $37,900 | $66,220 | 3,440 |
| Oklahoma | $50,110 | $55,260 | $33,280 | $83,580 | 6,840 |
| Louisiana | $50,080 | $58,120 | $33,660 | $100,760 | 7,530 |
| Massachusetts | $50,060 | $55,390 | $37,220 | $79,860 | 10,790 |
| Nevada | $49,050 | $59,920 | $36,140 | $94,590 | 4,630 |
| West Virginia | $49,020 | $53,290 | $31,000 | $82,230 | 2,440 |
| Wisconsin | $49,020 | $51,720 | $37,230 | $66,220 | 17,750 |
| Iowa | $48,940 | $51,740 | $38,710 | $66,120 | 7,070 |
| New Jersey | $48,850 | $53,150 | $34,980 | $77,100 | 12,610 |
| New York | $48,790 | $53,330 | $35,940 | $76,480 | 20,540 |
| Vermont | $48,740 | $50,610 | $36,950 | $65,980 | 960 |
| New Mexico | $48,510 | $55,870 | $34,640 | $84,260 | 1,700 |
| Utah | $48,000 | $51,830 | $35,680 | $74,210 | 6,960 |
| Virginia | $47,980 | $51,590 | $35,200 | $73,320 | 10,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,540 | $50,960 | $35,400 | $71,070 | 23,100 |
| Illinois | $47,040 | $50,030 | $34,850 | $70,760 | 30,740 |
| Maine | $47,000 | $51,260 | $33,550 | $76,030 | 1,760 |
| Indiana | $46,990 | $49,550 | $34,080 | $68,230 | 21,880 |
| South Dakota | $46,430 | $47,750 | $38,070 | $61,320 | 1,090 |
| Florida | $46,360 | $49,920 | $33,190 | $74,820 | 21,060 |
| Ohio | $46,220 | $48,750 | $34,380 | $66,870 | 31,010 |
| Kentucky | $45,470 | $47,380 | $32,790 | $65,110 | 12,900 |
| Tennessee | $44,860 | $47,930 | $33,360 | $67,110 | 17,530 |
| South Carolina | $44,840 | $47,890 | $31,610 | $68,570 | 14,900 |
| Georgia | $44,020 | $46,780 | $32,040 | $63,640 | 20,140 |
| North Carolina | $44,020 | $46,520 | $30,830 | $65,330 | 19,830 |
| Texas | $43,790 | $48,430 | $30,790 | $74,310 | 55,320 |
| Michigan | $42,440 | $46,450 | $33,280 | $64,420 | 29,370 |
| Idaho | $42,120 | $50,570 | $33,530 | $90,240 | 3,520 |
| Arkansas | $41,570 | $44,940 | $32,510 | $60,080 | 6,350 |
| Mississippi | $39,580 | $43,450 | $28,260 | $64,400 | 7,330 |
| Alabama | $39,190 | $42,970 | $27,560 | $61,680 | 13,080 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Abrasive Grader or Acid Tester frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
This data helps you understand how Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers compares to others in the 51 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.
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