Gauge operator vs quality assurance inspector

The differences between gauge operators and quality assurance inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a gauge operator has an average salary of $37,803, which is higher than the $36,842 average annual salary of a quality assurance inspector.

The top three skills for a gauge operator include hand tools, CNC and . The most important skills for a quality assurance inspector are calipers, micrometers, and corrective action.

Gauge operator vs quality assurance inspector overview

	Gauge Operator	Quality Assurance Inspector
Yearly salary	$37,803	$36,842
Hourly rate	$18.17	$17.71
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	30,482	74,410
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Gauge operator vs quality assurance inspector salary

Gauge operators and quality assurance inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Gauge Operator	Quality Assurance Inspector
Average salary	$37,803	$36,842
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	Renton, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between gauge operator and quality assurance inspector education

There are a few differences between a gauge operator and a quality assurance inspector in terms of educational background:

	Gauge Operator	Quality Assurance Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Gauge operator vs quality assurance inspector demographics

Here are the differences between gauge operators' and quality assurance inspectors' demographics:

	Gauge Operator	Quality Assurance Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 71.7% Female, 28.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 9.1% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between gauge operator and quality assurance inspector duties and responsibilities

Gauge operator example responsibilities.

Review and interpret part prints and datum schemes in the production of subframes for BMW and Mercedes.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Quality assurance inspector example responsibilities.

Coordinate joint surveys with SATORP inspectors and manage clearance of all issue active LBE and NCR.
Work with IPC and ISO regulations.
Examine parts for damage or excessive wear using micrometers and gauges and other specialize test equipment.
Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as rulers, calipers or micrometers.
Inspect and measure surgical steel medical devices for critical dimensions, checking tolerance using micrometers and calipers reading from blueprint designs.
Qualify coating systems and painters to ASTM standards.

Gauge operator vs quality assurance inspector skills

Common gauge operator skills

Hand Tools, 55%
CNC, 45%

Common quality assurance inspector skills

Calipers, 7%
Micrometers, 6%
Corrective Action, 5%
Safety Standards, 5%
Inspection Reports, 4%
Quality Standards, 4%

Gauge Operator vs. similar jobs

Gauge Operator related careers

Gauge Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Gauge Operator
Gauge Operator vs Quality Assurance Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs