Research Summary. Comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team reveals the latest insights into quality control inspector salaries across the United States as of 2026:
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Washington offers the highest quality control inspector salary at $54,015.
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Tennessee reports the lowest quality control inspector salary at $27,753.
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The national average salary for quality control inspectors stands at $35,018.
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The national hourly wage for quality control inspectors is $16.84.
For more details, check our specific methodology.
Background
Consistently, surveys show that salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers across various demographics. A common question is, “How much do quality control inspectors earn in my area?”
While individual earning potential varies based on various factors, we have robust data illustrating average salaries for quality control inspectors across states, segmented by experience level. Although local salaries may differ from state averages, these figures provide a solid baseline for expectations.
As of 2026, the state with the most lucrative salary for quality control inspectors remains Washington.
Here’s a brief overview of the top ten states for quality control inspector salaries:
Let’s delve into the full ranking of all states to understand how these salaries are distributed.
Highest-Paid Quality Control Inspectors By State
| Rank | State | Average Quality Control Inspector Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $54,015 | $41,000 | $70,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | $44,773 | $39,000 | $50,000 |
| 3 | Oregon | $43,763 | $32,000 | $58,000 |
| 4 | Montana | $43,304 | $33,000 | $55,000 |
| 5 | Maine | $41,949 | $24,000 | $70,000 |
| 6 | Colorado | $41,515 | $31,000 | $54,000 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $41,106 | $31,000 | $53,000 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $40,939 | $35,000 | $47,000 |
| 9 | South Dakota | $40,746 | $31,000 | $53,000 |
| 10 | Maryland | $40,325 | $27,000 | $59,000 |
| 11 | California | $40,213 | $29,000 | $53,000 |
| 12 | Idaho | $40,042 | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $39,889 | $24,000 | $65,000 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $39,867 | $23,000 | $67,000 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $39,682 | $29,000 | $52,000 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $39,662 | $23,000 | $66,000 |
| 17 | Nevada | $39,629 | $29,000 | $53,000 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $39,134 | $24,000 | $61,000 |
| 19 | Vermont | $38,822 | $23,000 | $64,000 |
| 20 | Iowa | $38,591 | $28,000 | $51,000 |
| 21 | New Mexico | $38,498 | $28,000 | $51,000 |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $37,589 | $22,000 | $62,000 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $36,969 | $28,000 | $48,000 |
| 24 | Arizona | $36,394 | $27,000 | $48,000 |
| 25 | Kansas | $35,990 | $27,000 | $47,000 |
| 26 | Utah | $35,878 | $27,000 | $47,000 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $35,685 | $26,000 | $47,000 |
| 28 | Missouri | $35,486 | $26,000 | $47,000 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $35,194 | $26,000 | $46,000 |
| 30 | New York | $35,184 | $22,000 | $56,000 |
| 31 | Ohio | $35,049 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $34,993 | $22,000 | $53,000 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $34,801 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 34 | Illinois | $34,758 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 35 | Indiana | $34,314 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $34,256 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 37 | Delaware | $34,242 | $22,000 | $51,000 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $34,208 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 39 | Texas | $33,761 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 40 | Florida | $33,504 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 41 | Virginia | $32,707 | $22,000 | $47,000 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $32,682 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $32,037 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $31,975 | $24,000 | $42,000 |
| 45 | Michigan | $31,684 | $22,000 | $44,000 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $31,383 | $22,000 | $43,000 |
| 47 | Georgia | $30,662 | $22,000 | $42,000 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $30,533 | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| 49 | Alabama | $28,902 | $21,000 | $39,000 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $27,753 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
Methodology: Quality Control Inspector Salary By State
To gain insights into quality control inspector compensation by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, complemented by real salaries listed in job postings. Our data science team calculates a weighted average to deliver precise estimates of quality control inspector salaries by state.
The average annual salary figures for quality control inspectors are derived from these analyses, allowing us to rank states based on the highest average salaries.
Quality Control Inspector Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for quality control inspectors?
The highest-paid state for quality control inspectors is Washington, with an average salary of $54,015 per year.
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What city pays quality control inspectors the most?
Broomfield, CO offers the highest salary for quality control inspectors, averaging $41,528 per year.
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What is the worst state for quality control inspectors?
Tennessee is considered the worst state for quality control inspectors, with an average salary of $27,753 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
