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Construction materials testing technician vs quality inspector

The differences between construction materials testing technicians and quality inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a construction materials testing technician has an average salary of $33,781, which is higher than the $33,197 average annual salary of a quality inspector.

The top three skills for a construction materials testing technician include asphalt, field testing and certifications. The most important skills for a quality inspector are calipers, micrometers, and quality standards.

Construction materials testing technician vs quality inspector overview

Construction Materials Testing TechnicianQuality Inspector
Yearly salary$33,781$33,197
Hourly rate$16.24$15.96
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs35,83670,978
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a construction materials testing technician do?

A construction materials testing technician is responsible for inspecting the efficiency and performance of construction tools and equipment, as well as the condition of the construction area and foundation. Construction materials testing technicians analyze the structure of the material's components, reading schematics and blueprints to assemble tools, and monitoring daily construction progress. They also identify cost-reduction materials by negotiating with trusted suppliers and contractors, ensuring high-quality products and deliverables. A construction materials testing technician must have excellent organizational and communication skills, especially in recommending strategic procedures for quality checks and testing.

What does a quality inspector do?

A Quality Control Inspector is responsible for making sure that the manufactured products in a particular company or organization are up to standard and adheres to the rules and regulations. They continuously monitor production operations where they manually inspect products, accepting and rejecting those that do not meet the standard quality, and provide recommendations should it be necessary. Moreover, the Quality Control Inspectors coordinates with workers to ensure improvements, and with management to report the results.

Construction materials testing technician vs quality inspector salary

Construction materials testing technicians and quality inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction Materials Testing TechnicianQuality Inspector
Average salary$33,781$33,197
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $42,000Between $25,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Nabors Industries
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between construction materials testing technician and quality inspector education

There are a few differences between a construction materials testing technician and a quality inspector in terms of educational background:

Construction Materials Testing TechnicianQuality Inspector
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorCivil EngineeringBusiness
Most common college--

Construction materials testing technician vs quality inspector demographics

Here are the differences between construction materials testing technicians' and quality inspectors' demographics:

Construction Materials Testing TechnicianQuality Inspector
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 8.5% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between construction materials testing technician and quality inspector duties and responsibilities

Construction materials testing technician example responsibilities.

  • Perform third party inspection services of reinforce concrete under ACI- 318 and ASTM standards.
  • Assist with density tests, rebar inspections and proof rolling on job site for various projects.
  • Perform numerous geotechnical investigations including drill rig and hand auger core sampling and soil classification, cone penetration testing.
  • Follow astm standards and procedures.
  • Maintain ISO 9000 clean room certifications.
  • Experience in surveying, and some AutoCAD training.
  • Show more

Quality inspector example responsibilities.

  • Task involve use of calipers, optical comparators, volt/ohm meters and curve tracer.
  • Utilize measuring instruments like calipers, gauges, and micrometers to assure product conformance to customers specifications.
  • Recycle ESD products as required.
  • Maintain logs of products as required per AS9100.
  • Document and inspect for ESD requirements and for proper handling of MSD moisture sensitive devices.
  • Perform surface plate set-ups, utilizing gage blocks, angle blocks, sine plates and bars.
  • Show more

Construction materials testing technician vs quality inspector skills

Common construction materials testing technician skills
  • Asphalt, 19%
  • Field Testing, 12%
  • Certifications, 10%
  • Construction Materials, 8%
  • Construction Sites, 8%
  • DOT, 7%
Common quality inspector skills
  • Calipers, 9%
  • Micrometers, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Quality Inspection, 6%
  • Inspection Results, 4%
  • CMM, 4%

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