Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
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.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $26K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $31K
Median Salary: $40K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $53K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $68K
Demand
Core Tasks
Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
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.
Recommend necessary corrective actions, based on inspection results.
Write test or inspection reports describing results, recommendations, or needed repairs.
Make minor adjustments to equipment, such as turning setscrews to calibrate instruments to required tolerances.
Read blueprints, data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and testing procedures, adjustment methods, certification processes, formulas, or measuring instruments required.
Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.
Check arriving materials to ensure that they match purchase orders, submitting discrepancy reports as necessary.
Inspect or test raw materials, parts, or products to determine compliance with environmental standards.
Monitor production operations or equipment to ensure conformance to specifications, making necessary process or assembly adjustments.
Analyze test data, making computations as necessary, to determine test results.
Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content, and quantities inspected or graded.
Compare colors, shapes, textures, or grades of products or materials with color charts, templates, or samples to verify conformance to standards.
Clean, maintain, calibrate, or repair measuring instruments or test equipment, such as dial indicators, fixed gauges, or height gauges.
Administer tests to assess whether engineers or operators are qualified to use equipment.
Fabricate, install, position, or connect components, parts, finished products, or instruments for testing or operational purposes.
Monitor machines that automatically measure, sort, or inspect products.
Interpret legal requirements, provide safety information, or recommend compliance procedures to contractors, craft workers, engineers, or property owners.
Adjust, clean, or repair products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections.
Position products, components, or parts for testing.
Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
Compute usable amounts of items in shipments.
Inspect or test cleantech or green technology parts, products, or installations, such as fuel cells, solar panels, or air quality devices, for conformance to specifications or standards.
Collect or select samples for testing or for use as models.
Disassemble defective parts or components, such as inaccurate or worn gauges or measuring instruments.
Grade, classify, or sort products according to sizes, weights, colors, or other specifications.
Compute defect percentages or averages, using formulas and calculators.
Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.
Weigh materials, products, containers, or samples to verify packaging weights or ingredient quantities.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Production and Processing
86%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language
72%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
68%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical
65%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
63%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics
58%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
53%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Engineering and Technology
52%
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Clerical
51%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Public Safety and Security
51%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Top 10 Skills
Quality Control Analysis
75%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking
65%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing
65%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
63%
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.
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension
63%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
63%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
60%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Monitoring
60%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Time Management
60%
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Top 10 Abilities
Oral Expression
73%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Near Vision
70%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension
70%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Perceptual Speed
68%
The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Flexibility of Closure
65%
The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Problem Sensitivity
65%
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
63%
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Information Ordering
63%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Written Comprehension
63%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
60%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Top 10 Work Activities
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
88%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
87%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
86%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
85%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording Information
85%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information
82%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
80%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
78%
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
76%
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Handling and Moving Objects
74%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Detailed Work Activities
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Record operational or production data.
Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Calibrate equipment to specifications.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
Analyze test results.
Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
Clean production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Test products for functionality or quality.
Fabricate parts or components.
Connect electrical components or equipment.
Evaluate capabilities or training needs.
Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
Inspect sustainable energy production facilities or equipment.
Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
Weigh finished products.
Work Context
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
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?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
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?
Education
Interests
Conventional
96%
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
91%
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.
Investigative
53%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
39%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
24%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
15%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
100%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
97%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Self Control
94%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Cooperation
90%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Independence
89%
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.
Stress Tolerance
89%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Integrity
87%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Adaptability/Flexibility
85%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
85%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Initiative
85%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Values
Support
62%
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
43%
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
41%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
24%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
