Updated 2008

Summary Report for:
51-9061.00 - 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.

The occupation code you requested, 51-9061.05 (Production Inspectors, Testers, Graders, Sorters, Samplers, Weighers), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers) instead.

Sample of reported job titles: Inspector, Quality Inspector, Quality Technician, Quality Assurance Inspector, Quality Control Inspector, Quality Auditor, Picker / Packer, Quality Assurance Auditor, Quality Control Supervisor, Quality Control Technician

View report: Summary  Details  Custom

Tasks  |  Tools & Technology  |  Knowledge  |  Skills  |  Abilities  |  Work Activities  |  Work Context  |  Job Zone  |  Interests  |  Work Styles  |  Work Values  |  Related Occupations  |  Wages & Employment  |  Additional Information

Tasks

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Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Accelerometers — Capacitive acceleration instruments; Magnetic induction acceleration instruments; Piezoelectric acceleration instruments; Resonance acceleration instruments
Calibrated resistance measuring equipment — Digital resistance meters; Resistance meters; Resistivity meters
Gauges or inspection fixtures — Functional gauges; Optical gauges; Pin gauges; Plug gauges
Integrated circuit testers — Backplane testers; In-circuit testers; Manufacturing defect analyzers MDA; Printed circuit board PCB testers
Leak testing equipment — Bubble leak testers; Calorimetric leak testers; Mass flow leak testers

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Data analysis software; Design of experiments DOE software; Minitab software; Tolerance analysis software
Industrial control software — Coordinate measuring machine software; CyberMetrics GAGETrak Calibration Management Software; Statistical process control SPC data collection devices; Wilcox Associates PC-DMIS Inspection Planner
Label making software — Inspection marking systems
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Word processing software — Microsoft Word

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Knowledge

Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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Skills

Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.

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Abilities

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

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Work Activities

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

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Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
Spend Time Standing — How much does this job require standing?
Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.
Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Physical Proximity — To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

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Job Zone

Title Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.
Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
SVP Range (4.0 to < 6.0)
Education These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

There are 27 recognized apprenticeable specialties associated with this occupation:
Airplane Inspector; Cable Tester; Complaint Inspector; Diesel-Engine Tester; Experimental Assembler; Hydrometer Calibrator; Inspector, Outside Production; Inspector, Precision; Rubber Tester; Radiographer; Thermometer Tester; Electronics Tester; Testing-and-Regulating Technician; Inspector, Set-Up and Lay-Out; Automobile-Repair-Service Estimator; Relay Tester; Inspector, Metal Fabricating; Electric-Meter Tester; Trouble Locator, Test Desk; Automobile Tester; Electric-Distribution Checker; X-Ray-Equipment Tester; Quality-Control Inspector; Operational Test Mechanic; Inspector, Electromechanical; Grader; Calibrator, Military (Instruments and Apparatus)

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information external site website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship external site website.

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Interests

Interest code: CR

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

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Work Styles

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

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Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

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Related Occupations

51-2011.00 Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers In-Demand
51-4011.00 Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic
51-4041.00 Machinists
51-4061.00 Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
51-4081.00 Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic In-Demand
51-5023.00 Printing Machine Operators
51-6031.00 Sewing Machine Operators
51-6061.00 Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
51-9111.00 Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
51-9132.00 Photographic Processing Machine Operators

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Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages (2008) $15.02 hourly, $31,240 annual
Employment (2006) 491,000 employees
Projected growth (2006-2016) Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%) Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%)
Projected need (2006-2016) 73,000 additional employees

State & National

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data external site and 2006-2016 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.

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Sources of Additional Information

Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

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