Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for quality control analysts in the United States
Quality control analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected quality control analyst job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 3,200 new jobs for quality control analysts are projected over the next decade.
Quality control analyst salaries have increased 14% for quality control analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 43,992 quality control analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 85,546 active quality control analyst job openings in the US.
The average quality control analyst salary is $59,217.
Are quality control analyst jobs in demand?
Quality control analyst job and salary trends over time
Quality control analyst jobs over time
Quality control analyst job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 43,992 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 44,141 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 45,420 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 45,841 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 46,719 | 0.01% |
Average quality control analyst salary over time
Quality control analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,217 | $28.47 | +3.8% |
| 2024 | $57,061 | $27.43 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $56,068 | $26.96 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $54,285 | $26.10 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | $51,970 | $24.99 | +1.6% |
Quality control analyst jobs by state
Most common states for quality control analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 248 | 36% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 335 | 25% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 222 | 23% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,594 | 19% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,290 | 19% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,153 | 19% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,016 | 18% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 555 | 18% |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 966 | 17% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 600 | 17% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,458 | 16% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 167 | 16% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 99 | 16% |
| 14 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,557 | 15% |
| 15 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 971 | 15% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 858 | 15% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,073 | 14% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 449 | 14% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 260 | 14% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 105 | 14% |
Most common cities for quality control analysts
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | 14 | 13% | $62,111 |
| 2 | Framingham | 9 | 13% | $62,281 |
| 3 | Holly Springs | 4 | 12% | $75,933 |
| 4 | Hayward | 14 | 9% | $65,051 |
| 5 | West Sacramento | 4 | 8% | $64,373 |
| 6 | Novato | 4 | 7% | $65,362 |
| 7 | Saint Paul | 9 | 3% | $60,891 |
| 8 | Oceanside | 3 | 2% | $60,091 |
| 9 | Houston | 7 | 0% | $54,310 |
| 10 | Philadelphia | 5 | 0% | $56,216 |
| 11 | Fort Worth | 4 | 0% | $53,396 |
| 12 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $55,996 |
| 13 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $60,990 |
Quality Control Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of quality control analyst experts
Northern Michigan University
California State University - East Bay
Ohio Dominican University
North Carolina State University
Northern Kentucky University
University of the Pacific
Brigham Young University
Northern Kentucky University
Southwestern College
University of Kentucky
University of Illinois at Springfield
College of Idaho
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
John Richardson: Skills? Well, both hard and soft... Obviously, you will need to have the basic lab and knowledge skills that would be expected of a competent chemistry graduate. Yes, your new employer will spend time training you in the specific skills that pertain to your new job, but basic knowledge and skill sets (e.g., pipetting, calculating dilution factors, having baseline knowledge of common instrumentation) will be expected. As for soft skills, be friendly, cooperative, and curious. Extend these character traits to both your peers and supervisors. Other useful skills that my former students mention would be having some basic knowledge of business and perhaps coding.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Richardson: Good general advice to someone just beginning in a new career would be to keep that work ethic up...Show up when you are supposed to and work the hours that you are contractually obligated to work. Of course, set firm boundaries as well. If you are going above and beyond, be sure that your supervisor is noticing and in your court to see that you are properly compensated or otherwise rewarded.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
John Richardson: Maximizing salary potential comes not only from having a sound background in your chosen field (you must represent value to your company), but also through sound communication skills, both written and oral. If you can come off as a competent, confident, and well-versed candidate (asset) in the interview process, you will probably land the job! Direct, honest, and effective communication will then help you keep your job and even be considered for raises and promotions. I also like to encourage my students to broaden their skill sets and credentials while still in school: consider earning a minor in something like business, mathematics, or computer science... You never know where your future career might take you!
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Aurora Clark: BS level Chemists can be employed in a variety of roles that leverage their scientific knowledge, laboratory and analytical thinking skills. As technicians in companies or government organizations they may be responsible for sample collection and analysis – for example water quality. They may also work in R&D; in industry as part of larger teams doing development of new materials or devices. On a daily basis this may include testing of different properties of materials under development or helping to design new experimental protocols/procedures to optimize synthesis or characterization. Leveraging their fundamental knowledge of Chemistry they may also work in government within interdisciplinary groups, in science policy, or may pursue science communication.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aurora Clark: Chemistry is often called the Central Science because it intersects Biology, Physics, Math and Materials Science. As such, fundamental Chemistry knowledge is transferable and portable to a large range of public and private sectors. With artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) now actively part of the research process, Chemists are also at the intersection of Computer Science. The domain knowledge of Chemists is needed to help the Chemical industry employ AI and ML to create new therapeutics, materials, and to tackle challenges in energy production and environmental protection.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Aurora Clark: With a BS degree there will be some limitations associated with professional advancement and the ability to be a team leader.
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: The skills that will be required in the lab tech milieu over the next 3-5 years are the same ones that are necessary now, which is what makes the lab tech profession so lucrative. Foundational laboratory skills are a must now and will be must in the future. Once the aspiring lab tech learns and masters the foundational work, such as lab math, pipetting, dilution schemes, titrating, proper glassware use and application, basic spectrophotometry, transformational weights and measures, microscopy, etc. then they'll be readily adaptable for employment in any laboratory setting.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA: I would highly recommend that the newly graduated lab tech does not limit themself to a specific location or a specific vocation. The places to work and the types of jobs available are nearly limitless. If one thinks outside of the box, outside of the mainstream lab tech opportunities, they'll find a whole host of other intriguing possibilities. So, do not limit yourself, the world is your oyster, .......so to speak.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Monika Sommerhalter: Know your worth and look for opportunities to grow. Set yourself professional goals, whether it is a large goal (such as getting a promotion) or smaller goals (attending a workshop to master a new skill) on an ongoing basis. Keep your resume up-to-date so that it is easier for you to apply for new job opportunities within or outside of your company.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Monika Sommerhalter: Expand and take care of your professional network throughout your career. Start by keeping in touch with your peers and mentors from university. Personal connections can help you find more job openings and professional development opportunities. If you surround yourself with a supportive professional network, your career path will also feel more rewarding.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Christopher Martin: If you are a new chemistry graduate beginning your career as a chemist, understand that you are no longer going to be studying chemistry just to take a test and talk about how someone may hypothetically do chemistry. You will be expected to apply the fundamentals you learned and actually do chemistry. You may need to call upon skills in classes and labs that you didn't expect to use, and you may be trained in a new area or using new instrumentation that you have not seen before. Different fields in chemistry call on different skills, but skills are transferrable and skills will be what makes you valuable.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Mark Griep: I've never talked to my student trainees about the good and bad aspects of being a chemist. Personally, one of the great things about being a chemist is that nearly everyone else thinks you're a genius because they don't understand it. I suppose one of the bad things is that there is a level of danger associated with handling the chemicals. It's one of the reasons that chemists are always discussing safety protocols.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Lucian Lucia: EACH DAY PRESENTS A WHOLE NEW SET OF AMAZING AND DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED; FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE THE CENTRAL SCIENCE AND THEREFORE PLUG INTO MEDICINE, BIOLOGY, MATERIALS, AND ENGINEERING AMONG A HOST OF DISCIPLINES IN WHICH CHEMISTRY, THE MOLECULAR SCIENCE, PLAYS A KEY ROLE. WE ARE TASKED WITH DEVELOPING OR ANALYZING CHEMICAL PHENOMENA FOR EACH OF THESE DISCIPLINES. GIVEN THAT CHEMISTRY DEALS WITH REACTIONS, MECHANISMS, AND THE MOLECULAR BEHAVIOR OF MATTER, WE TEND TO WORK AT A LAB, PILOT, OR EVEN INDUSTRIAL SCALE TO MONITOR THE EFFICIENCY, QUALITY, AND QUANTITY OF OUR REACTIONS. FOR INSTANCE, WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT PINE BARK AS A SOURCE OF VALUABLE ANTI-OXIDANTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND ARE THEREFORE COLLECTING THEM, GRINDING THEM, AND METICULOUSLY EXTRACTING THE ANTI-OXIDANTS. OUR HOPE IS TO DO THIS AT A LARGE SCALE IN WHICH TONS OF BARK ARE PRE-PROCESSED IN SUCH MANNER BEFORE THEIR NORMAL FATE OF BURNING FOR FUEL OR USE AS GROUND COVER (E.G., MULCH).
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lucian Lucia: BECAUSE IT IS KEY TO SOLVING THE GRAND CHALLENGES OF HUMAN HEALTH, CLEAN WATER AND AIR, ABUNDANT AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD, AND CLEAN ENERGY. EACH OF THESE NEEDS DESPERATELY NEED SOMEONE EQUIPPED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE ONLY AVAILABLE TO CHEMISTS. AS CHEMISTS, WE WILL EXPLORE THE MATERIALS, CHEMICALS, AND PROCESSES NEEDED TO ADDRESS EACH OF THE CHALLENGES. WE WILL NOT DO THIS WORK IN A VACUUM, BUT COLLABORATE WITH ENGINEERS, BIOLOGISTS, PHYSICISTS, AND MATERIALS SCIENTISTS. WE MELD WELL IN A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM AND POSSESS A DETAILED LOGIC, KNOWLEDGE, AND POISE WHICH MAKE US AN INDISPENSABLE MEMBER OF THE TEAM. THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS CHEMISTS! MOREOVER, WE MUST OVERCOME THE STIGMA IT HAS BORNE FOR MANY YEARS IN ORDER TO PROPERLY ENTICE STUDENTS OF THE HIGHEST TALENT AND INTELLECT BECAUSE IT HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE OUR LIVES.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Lucian Lucia: THIS IS A VERY LOADED QUESTION! CHEMISTS RECOGNIZE HOW IMPERATIVE IT REMAINS FOR CHANGING THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES, YET, WE INTENSELY FEEL AND FACE THE BURDEN OF ITS IMAGE AS A POLLUTING FORCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD. IN MANY WAYS, WE HAVE BROUGHT THE BURDEN ON OURSELVES BY NOT RECOGNIZING AND EMBRACING THE POTENTIAL OF GREEN CHEMISTRY AS A FORCE FOR GOOD AND CHANGE. AS WITH ANY TECHNOLOGY, THERE ARE PROS AND CONS, BUT THE COMMUNITY OF CHEMISTRY HAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROVIDED A COGENT ARGUMENT FOR WHY IT SHOULD BE PURSUED BY MANY MORE STUDENTS. TODAY, MORE THAN EVER, IT HAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF MANY OTHER DISCIPLINES WHO DIP THEIR FEET IN IT BECAUSE IT IS SO ESSENTIAL TO MANY OF THE CHALLENGES WE ENUMERATED ABOVE. WE ARE A NOBLE PROFESSON, LIKE LAW OR MEDICINE, BUT SHROUDED IN MYSTERY BECAUSE WE DO NOT TEND TO ENGAGE IN ARGUMENTS OVERCOMING THE POLEMICS WE FACE IN SOCIETY. CHEMISTRY CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD, BUT WE NEED TO MANAGE OUR SCIENCE TO FOCUS ON ITS SUSTAINABILITY AND PROCLAIM IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Isabelle Lagadic Ph.D.: My recommendation would be to have been involved in many internships, part-time jobs in industries in this field. A very successful internship may almost become the equivalent of an entry level position, and already provides a foot in the door to have access to higher level positions. Then, I would say to continue learning and take advantage of any professional development the company or organization may offer.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Isabelle Lagadic Ph.D.: I’ve met employers asking me if I could teach my students basic skills like “being on time”, “writing a proper email”, “clearly and carefully documenting their work”, “using critical thinking to stop a recording or an experiment when it is obvious that it is not working”. Those very basic skills that everyone takes for granted in addition of basic technical skills are going to become the most prevalent in the coming years. What’s scary is the collision between the inevitable advancement of Ai in this field and this lack of basic skills. It is difficult to train people on tomorrow’s skills if they don’t already master today’s skills.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Isabelle Lagadic Ph.D.: To expect a significant difference between the academic place and the workplace in terms of the work expectations, time management, independent work, having to take initiatives, etc. Many chemistry (or science majors in general) graduates think that their degree prepared them well for a job and are both disappointed and overwhelmed when they are confronted with the reality of the workplace. Not that starting at an entry level in this field is complicated, but because they haven’t been taught the skills, both technical and soft, to feel comfortable in the workplace.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Konstantinos Vogiatzis: The day-to-day work heavily depends on the actual position. It might include the application of analytical or spectroscopic techniques for quality control, synthesis of molecules or materials, or simply the utilization of computers for the simulation of chemical processes.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Konstantinos Vogiatzis: It’s hard to respond to this question, since chemical technology is exciting in any aspect! The chemical elements are the alphabet of a chemist, and the decillion of different combinations between them form an enormous chemical space that needs to be explored for the discovery of new, fascinating molecular structures. Modern AI is actively helping the chemist to navigate the molecular space. Some people (like me!) dislike the laborious chemical synthesis, but for others this is the true beauty of our discipline.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Kristina Stefaniak: Don’t limit yourself, have confidence that the skills and critical thinking needed to graduate with a degree in chemistry has prepared you for a wide range of positions. If there are jobs that require skills you don’t currently have, still apply knowing that you will be able to learn and grow into those positions.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Dr. Jingbo Liu PhD: People in the chemistry profession often appreciate the opportunity to contribute to scientific advancement and the practical application of their work in improving people’s lives. The field offers continuous learning and the chance to work on diverse, cutting-edge projects. However, some challenges include the need for meticulous attention to detail, handling of potentially hazardous substances, and the pressure to produce results in research. Additionally, the work can sometimes be demanding and require long hours in the laboratory. Nevertheless, the satisfaction of making meaningful contributions to science and society and the intellectual stimulation provided by the field make it a rewarding profession for many.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jingbo Liu PhD: A chemist’s day-to-day tasks vary greatly depending on their specific role and field. However, everyday tasks include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, writing reports, and maintaining safety protocols in the laboratory. Someone entering the field might start as a laboratory assistant or technician, preparing samples, maintaining equipment, and assisting with experiments and research. They could also be involved in data analysis, using various software tools to interpret and visualize experimental results. Furthermore, they may participate in team meetings to discuss their findings and plan future research directions. It’s a dynamic and exciting field with plenty of opportunities for learning and growth.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Joseph Harrison: Chemistry is a good profession to have because it is in demand, since we are in a nanotechnology revolution there are/will be many jobs for chemists. Also, the problem-solving and analytical skills that Chemists use are useful for any industry.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joseph Harrison: Chemistry is an expansive field and chemists do a wide range of things from helping to make new pharmaceutical drugs, to testing water for contaminants, to working on specialized equipment used to identify characteristics of new molecules.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Joseph Harrison: Chemists typically like using their problem-solving skills to advance science, but sometimes Chemists, especially in entry-level positions can be repetitive (i.e., doing the same analysis over and over again)
Dr. Jaron Hansen
Professor and ChairBrigham Young University
Chemistry
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jaron Hansen: Chemists are involved in a wide range of jobs on a day-to-day basis. A chemist's day-to-day activities can vary widely depending on their specific role, industry, and field of specialization. However, here are some common tasks that chemists might engage in: Research and Experimentation, Analysis and Testing, Product Development, Quality Control, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Documentation and Reporting, Collaboration and Communication, Lab Maintenance and Safety.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Patrick Hare: Diversify your skill set, and make sure you are aware of how diverse your skillset truly is. Research experience may have taught you about inert atmosphere synthesis, for example, but there’s lots of analytical, teamwork, safety, and communication skills that you may have developed. Make sure you are also conveying these skills to interviewers. Finally, negotiate. Do your homework and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Patrick Hare: Don’t just look for ‘chemist’ positions. A chemistry degree sets you up to do lots of different things under lots of different names. Once you get a job, keep networking (or if you haven’t done so, start)! Your first position won’t be your last, and having a group you can tap for help getting the next job or just figuring out problems that arise in the current one is very useful.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Patrick Hare: Facility with using and interpreting AI results is an obvious growing need. Many of those skills are just applied analytical and critical thinking. The trick will be to do the applying and keep them fresh. Understanding how the systems work will also be useful.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Daniel King: Chemistry is such a broad field that people with a wide range of skill sets have the opportunity to be successful. People who are particularly strong in math often gravitate towards careers associated with physical or analytical chemistry. People who struggle with math but have strong experimental skills can find a career in organic, inorganic or biochemistry. People who do not like laboratory work but like chemistry might find a career as a theoretical or computational chemist. Careers might involve working in an office, working in a laboratory or working outside, depending on the subdiscipline that you choose. In addition, chemistry is likely to be part of the solution to many, if not most, of the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change, health, clean water, agriculture, affordable energy, pollution. Consequently, it is unlikely that the need for chemists will be diminishing anytime soon.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Dr. Daniel King: This is also going to vary dramatically based on the type of chemistry that someone does. Many people like understanding and/or discovering what is going on at a fundamental level, and chemistry provides that opportunity. While many chemists like working in a lab, some chemists do not like lab work, due to the strong smells, the potential health hazards, and/or the repetitiveness of some of the work. Many chemists like the opportunity to learn something new on a regular basis. Some chemists like the pay, which is often good relative to some other professions. The diversity of career paths is popular among chemists. Chemists can work at traditional chemical companies making new chemicals; they can work at pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs; they can work with materials, such as printing and building materials; they can work at cosmetics companies or in the food industry; they can work to understand the environment and/or to solve environmental problems. Many chemistry students might dislike the focus on math or the heavy workload, although this is probably less of an issue for professional chemists, as someone who has become a professional chemist has hopefully chosen a subdiscipline that aligns with their interests.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
David Hecht Ph.D.: Do your homework and try to get within the range for the position and the level of experience.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Hecht Ph.D.: Not sure- with a solid chemistry bkg and training, graduates should be equipped to learn and adapt as needed. Soft skills are VERY important and need to be developed.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
David Hecht Ph.D.: Work to stay positive and have a 'can do' attitude. Be willing to take on new tasks, responsibilities and try to go the 'extra mile'. Don't be afraid to say you do not know how to do something, but are willing to learn.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Arthur Cammers: Non-academic chemists, or more broadly, molecular scientists, perform and direct laboratory work to research creative ways to develop, control quality, or improve products in manufacturing, textiles, polymer/ plastics, paints/ coatings, battery, pharmaceutical, toxicology, food, material safety/ compliance to standards or environmental analysis.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Arthur Cammers: There has a constant demand for chemistry skills in the job market. If you gravitate toward tinkering, math and science chemistry is an arena for your skills and curiosity.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Arthur Cammers: I can’t answer this honestly. I imagine that the answer will depend on the person, and the job situation.
Changqing Chen Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWhat will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: Try to develop some business skills on product marketing and sales. Try to apply your scientific and engineering skills to business and become an all-around player.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: 1. Analytical skills and communication skills will become more important since they are harder to be replaced by AI. 2. If interested, try to learn some information on AI and machine learning, which will be used more in chemistry in the near future on design and synthesis of new molecules/materials, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, and chemistry education.
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Changqing Chen Ph.D.: 1. A chemistry degree provides many opportunities for a wide variety of careers. Jobs can be found in big chemical or pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, small startup companies, as well as educational institutions. Sometimes, if you think outside the box, you can find other opportunities, such as some non-lab jobs (sales, technical support, consulting firms, etc.). If it is hard to find a permanent job you like, start with a temporary position, which might turn into a permanent position if your performance is excellent. 2. You do not need to match exactly what you learned in college with your job responsibilities. Be ready to apply the problem-solving skills you learned in new field/project. 3. Be curious, always eager to learn new skills/knowledge. 4. Be honest, learn from your mistakes.
Marc Klingshirn Ph.D.
Associate Professor of ChemistryUniversity of Illinois at Springfield
Chemistry
What Quality Control Analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marc Klingshirn Ph.D.: People are drawn to science for various reasons, but many enjoy science-related fields due to the discovery aspect. Science continually to leads to new questions and subsequent answers that help us understand the world around us, which can be exciting. At the same time, that discovery leads to constant change, which can lead to frustration. We tend to like clear-cut answers that are black and white. That doesn't always happen in science. That ambiguity then has tendencies to make those outside of the profession question the validity of science, which in turn is frustrating to those who are actively engaged because they feel their work is deemed false.
What will help Quality Control Analysts increase their earning potential?
Marc Klingshirn Ph.D.: This will obviously depend on the job itself, but if we consider a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, they will most likely be performing routine sample analysis using established protocols and procedures. Relevant data analysis will also most likely be required. Following necessary safety procedures and environmental guidelines will also be essential as some materials may be hazardous and because of relevant environmental regulations and handling needs.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Analyst?
Bonnie Cantrell: Chemistry is the backbone to most protocols for the material, medical, and biological sciences.
Without chemistry, we would not know many of the things we know today. It will always be relevant in
helping change the scientific world as we know it. The advancements in science technology alone makes
chemistry today more exciting than ever. Just with balances from 1980's to now, we went from only
being able to weigh with counter balance weights to having a digital scale read accurately to 0.001
milligrams. Chemistry used to be more theoretical and only explainable from what we could make react
together. Now we have technology that can visualize the chemical composition and structure allowing
for us to create solutions to problems we could only dream of before. Whether you are wanting danger,
to save lives, or to help make this planet a better place to live, being a chemist can help you fuel your
passions.