Quality Control Inspector FAQ

Not usually to start, but the ASQ CQI helps with advancement.

Aerospace, automotive, medical devices, food, electronics and many others.

Yes. It’s a stepping stone to quality technician and engineer roles.

The median annual wage for quality control inspectors was $48,570 ($23.35 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $35,510 and the highest 10% earned more than $77,860.

Most people need about 3–12 months on the job of training. A high school diploma is typical. Inspectors learn on the job, often after working in production. Courses in blueprint reading, GD&T, metrology and statistics help, and associate degrees lead to quality technician roles.

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

It can be, depending on your goals. Employment is projected to change +2.5% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average), with about 66,700 openings each year. Upsides include entry point into technical manufacturing roles; a common challenge is that repetitive measurement tasks.

Key technical skills include precision measurement, blueprint and gd&t reading, sampling plans, and cmm operation. Employers also value attention to detail, integrity, and communication.

Common credentials include ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI), ASQ Certified Quality Technician (CQT), GD&T training, and CMM programming certification. Requirements vary by state and employer.