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Job outlook for quality control technicians in the United States
Quality control technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected quality control technician job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 2,100 new jobs for quality control technicians are projected over the next decade.
Quality control technician salaries have increased 7% for quality control technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 65,324 quality control technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 98,407 active quality control technician job openings in the US.
The average quality control technician salary is $40,337.
Are quality control technician jobs in demand?
Quality Control Technician job and salary trends over time
Quality Control Technician jobs over time
Quality Control Technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65,324 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 65,359 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 68,531 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 68,750 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 68,945 | 0.02% |
Average quality control technician salary over time
Quality Control Technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,337 | $19.39 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $39,795 | $19.13 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $39,028 | $18.76 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $38,197 | $18.36 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $37,529 | $18.04 | --0.8% |
Quality Control Technician jobs by state
Most common states for quality control technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 451 | 34% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 200 | 29% |
| 3 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 784 | 25% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,338 | 24% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 682 | 22% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 167 | 22% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,371 | 21% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,295 | 21% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,728 | 20% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 194 | 20% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,294 | 19% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 199 | 19% |
| 13 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,918 | 18% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,033 | 18% |
| 15 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 896 | 18% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 353 | 18% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 111 | 18% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,554 | 17% |
| 19 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 711 | 17% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 228 | 17% |
Most common cities for quality control technicians
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andover | 29 | 87% | $46,933 |
| 2 | Mauldin | 5 | 20% | $38,380 |
| 3 | Kankakee | 5 | 19% | $40,423 |
| 4 | Culver City | 5 | 13% | $45,035 |
| 5 | Englewood | 4 | 12% | $43,228 |
| 6 | Burbank | 10 | 10% | $45,080 |
| 7 | Hagerstown | 4 | 10% | $48,356 |
| 8 | Boulder | 4 | 4% | $43,287 |
| 9 | Orlando | 7 | 3% | $36,406 |
| 10 | Indianapolis | 14 | 2% | $37,867 |
| 11 | Saint Louis | 5 | 2% | $38,868 |
| 12 | Kansas City | 5 | 1% | $39,103 |
| 13 | Milwaukee | 5 | 1% | $36,402 |
| 14 | Anaheim | 4 | 1% | $44,767 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 8 | 0% | $45,047 |
| 16 | Chicago | 5 | 0% | $40,696 |
Quality Control Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of quality control technician experts
Northern Michigan University
Michigan Technological University
Ohio University Southern
Kettering University
Harding University
Methodist University
Pennsylvania State University
Eastern Kentucky University
Missouri University of Science and Technology
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
University of New Mexico
Palm Beach State College
University of Arizona
Southeastern Louisiana University
The University of New Hampshire's Central Science
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Martin Renaldi MT (ASCP), MPA
Assistant Professor / MLS Program DirectorNorthern Michigan University
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, And Treatment Professions
What will help Quality Control Technicians 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 Technician?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates are masters of technology, gaining a broad and deep understanding of the processes, systems, tools, and techniques necessary to construct, modify, operate, and maintain an engineering design. They act as technological integrators, bridging the gap between the skilled trades and engineering fundamentals. This is a great career path for those who enjoy engineering concepts but would rather spend time working with their hands solving specific technical issues than tackling broader, more complex design challenges.
What Quality Control Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Irwin EdD: They like that the job market is very strong. Companies that are implementing industry 4.0 technologies are in need of Engineering Technology graduates because they are well prepared to meet these challenges. Employers like their problem-solving and hands-on experience with modern industry tools. ET graduates with 4-yr degrees dislike that some company recruiters do not recognize them as engineers and confuse them with 2-yr associate degree technicians.
What will help Quality Control Technicians increase their earning potential?
John Irwin EdD: Engineering technology graduates develop, design, and implement engineering and technology solutions, typically pursuing engineering careers in design, construction, and product improvement. They work both in an office setting with design and simulation software as well as on the production/onsite setting troubleshooting issues for continuous improvements.
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of InstructionOhio University Southern
Chemistry Department
What soft skills should all Quality Control Technicians possess?
Kyle Kemats Ph.D.: Communication skills are crucial, regardless of the type of position. Chemists need to be able to effectively communicate their findings, as well as communicate with their supervisors and colleagues. Additionally, chemists may be asked to train newer employees, further highlighting the importance of these communication skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Control Technician job market given the pandemic?
Daniel Ludwigsen: In responding to this and other questions, I'm considering the perspective of graduates from my programs, with a bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics or Applied Physics. Most of our grads are looking at full-time positions in engineering, particularly R&D and product development, or consulting/project engineering directly with their employers' customers. In sectors that are in demand, these positions are seeing an accelerated shift in the ways of working-just like we see in most professions. Working at least a portion of the week at home, less travel, more video conferencing, all force employees to sharpen their essential skills in communication, project management, and basically, working with diverse teams.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Technician?
Daniel Ludwigsen: If I'm talking with a graduate that is in the fortunate position to be weighing multiple opportunities, I emphasize the importance of work culture. This applies to graduate schools as well! If you are interviewing, and have a chance to evaluate the environment in which you'll be spending so much of your time and energy, try to pick up on the nonverbal "feel" of the place and the people there.
What Quality Control Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dennis Province Ph.D.: In the field of science, it is always a good idea to have all the skills that you can get. If you want to work in a microbiology lab, you should think about learning some chemistry or statistics. Important work never stays in one tiny corner of science; it bridges many fields and so should your skill set. People skills are also very important. Can you talk to people and communicate and listen to new ideas?
A gap year usually implies finding work as a research technician before applying to graduate or professional school. If this is the case, one question that employers and graduate programs have about their applicants are about their fitness: can they withstand the rigor at the next level? A recent graduate needs to show evidence that they are responsible and timely. The gap year should be filled with activities that show this.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Technician?
Dennis Province Ph.D.: You never know where you will end up later in life and what skills you will need in the future. Open your mind and become a lifelong learner. Be a student of life and learn from others at every step of the journey. Employers are always looking for workers that show initiative. Decide where you want to work and what you think you might want to do and have the courage to contact someone, and let them know! Most jobs or opportunities are found and decided with an informal conversation. Employers want the best people and those tend to be type that take the initiative.
Stephanie Hooper Marosek Ph.D.
Chair, Associate ProfessorMethodist University
Department of Chemistry and Physical Science
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Control Technicians to find work opportunities?
Stephanie Hooper Marosek Ph.D.: Places that are associated with research and development, pharmaceutical or biotech companies, or large research universities are likely to have positions available for laboratory analysts. For example, our graduates are fortunate that the Research Triangle Park in the Raleigh/Durham area is close by. There are many R&D, biotech, pharmaceutical, or similar types of labs in the surrounding areas that are often looking for entry-level chemists. If a graduate is not limited by geography, then they will be able to find employment as a chemist within a few months of graduation.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Control Technician job market given the pandemic?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The market will rebound in a way similar to the 1920s following the Spanish Flu pandemic. Coupled with the administration shifts, students in science fields especially will be well-placed for quick hires. There is also an age cohort now moving in retirement that occupied a pretty large percentage of positions and those jobs are opening up to entry-level hires. We are starting to see some of that now.
What skills stand out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Patrick Drohan Ph.D.: The academic skills are very important, experience in academic clubs like soil judging or weed judging (your niche), but more important is a diversity of experience with working in labs while in school, having summer jobs tied to your career, etc. - working at Dairy Queen in your home town may not be the best idea anymore if you are trying to out-compete others for entry-level work, and frankly, there is plenty of work out there if you are willing to move.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Control Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.: Although employment in the chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors are trending downward due to the current pandemic, the job outlook for chemists is promising. As there is high demand for laboratory technician positions to analyze COVID-19 samples using classical laboratory techniques. Many jobs are available for those with bachelor's and master's level degrees. Additionally, the need for those studying chemistry to work on potential treatments for the virus including other vaccines is great.
What Quality Control Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tanea Reed Ph.D.: I would recommend gaining additional laboratory and/or research experience to enhance their skill set with new techniques. Individuals could do this by reaching out to principal investigators of research laboratories who are conducting research that they have an interest in. They can also start to build their network by reaching out to professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society and their university's alumni association. These relationships can possibly lead to future opportunities.
Dr. Rainer Glaser
Professor and ChairMissouri University of Science and Technology
Chemistry Department
What skills stand out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: Chemistry competence is key, of course. As a close second, chemists need to demonstrate effective team player competence. Communication skills are essential, in conversation and in writing. Effective collaboration requires highly developed skills to work with team members, peers, and leadership.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Quality Control Technicians to find work opportunities?
Dr. Rainer Glaser: There are a few classic hubs of "big commodities chemistry" and "big pharma", for example. Interestingly, the chemistry enterprise constantly spawns new specializations and keeps getting more de-centralized with excellent employment opportunities in every state.
Christopher Bae Ph.D.
Professor, Department ChairUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa
Department of Anthropology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Technicians?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Yes and no. Obviously, hiring in anthropology, like most academic fields, has become more difficult now because of the economic impact of COVID-19 worldwide. However, anthropology graduates are still managing to find job placement in postdoctoral research fellowships, cultural resource management firms, and non-governmental organizations. The applied areas of anthropology are where positions can still be found fairly regularly. Moving forward, however, I anticipate a rebound, like in most fields, of hires more broadly in anthropology.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Technicians need?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Several things really make a resume stand out when hitting the job market. First and foremost, experience in the field and/or laboratory and the ability to show that one is capable of starting a project from scratch and seeing it through to final completion (as evidenced from resulting conference presentations and publications). Undergraduate students should try to gain experience as interns and in field schools. This gives them some experience, and they get a chance to see whether the field is right for them. Graduate students need to develop advanced analytical skills as they work through their qualitative and quantitative datasets. Having a high grade point average can help as well if the hiring firm requests academic transcripts.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Christopher Bae Ph.D.: Field and laboratory experience, particularly involvement with projects that lead to eventual publications. Internships and field schools are great ways to get one's feet wet, so to speak.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Quality Control Technician job market given the pandemic?
Benjamin Ford: The pandemic has laid bare many of the inequities in American societies. Suddenly many more citizens are 'woke'. As a discipline that has always excelled at critically analyzing human systems, Anthropology is well positioned to help Americans work in this new landscape. This will translate into more jobs for people with anthropological training. For example, the hospital systems will benefit from employing global health practitioners who have a broad view of healthcare and who are well versed in how to navigate health disparities. The infrastructure projects that will likely begin as the nation gets back on its feet will also need trained archaeologists to complete the cultural resource management requirements.
What Quality Control Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Benjamin Ford: Students taking a gap year should think about where they want to end up, both geographically and in terms of a career, and position themselves accordingly. That might mean moving to where they eventually want to live, taking a job to pay the bills, and volunteering with an organization to build local contacts. They should also work to develop the skills that will make them necessary in their intended career. The world became much more digital in the last nine months. We will likely return to many of our pre-pandemic physical practices, but aspects of our remote-everything existence will likely stick with us. Developing skills to be successful in a digital environment will be important.
What general advice would you give to a Quality Control Technician?
Benjamin Ford: Students graduating this year have come through a life-changing year. I'd encourage them to embrace that change. Rather than putting this year behind them and moving on, I'd like graduates to reflect on what worked and didn't work in the past year, and use that reflection to improve themselves and the world. This could be as simple as continuing to hone the time management skills we were all forced to develop, or as large as working to dismantle one of the structural inequalities that became glaringly apparent as nations struggled with health and economy.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Technicians?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: Yes, to some degree. For graduate students, the restrictions on travel and out-of-state research, as well as the closures of museums, all act to extend the length of time it will take to obtain their master's or doctoral degrees. For undergraduates, the limitations on in-person instruction may compromise the training in laboratory class settings; students may not learn as much if hands-on training is reduced or eliminated.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Technicians need?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: While the kinds of skills necessary for success aren't likely to change, how people learn those skills may shift to some extent from academic institutions to employers, again due to the pandemic.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Dr. Bruce Huckell Ph.D.: In terms of archaeology, for employers in the governmental and private sectors, I think experience in field work and laboratory analysis is what is most desired when considering folks with bachelor's degrees. In those same employment settings, master's and doctoral graduates who have good writing skills need the knowledge of appropriate legal regulations and museum methods and the ability to organize and supervise workers. In the academic realm, where a doctoral degree is needed in most instances, skills in research, teaching, and pubic/professional service are the key realms in which experience must stand out.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Technicians?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: Only time will tell. However, I feel that this pandemic has brought our students' and alumni's resilience and adaptability to the forefront. With most laboratories limiting the number of employees present, most are not taking on in-person interns at this time. However, they are working with our program to provide remote experiences for our students and provide invaluable support.
Our students have taken time to listen and research the science, found ways to overcome the adversities that have come their way and continue to have a positive outlook. The students in our program are following social distancing guidelines and adapting to the changing learning environments. I believe their resilience and resolve will only add to their successes in life and make them better scientists for it.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Technicians need?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: Graduates [of all ages] will continue to need hands-on skills, the ability to work both in the group and individual settings, and, most importantly, be curious and teachable. Soft skills have taken on greater importance over the years, so we provide ongoing events for outreach, scientific communication, interview preparation, etc., to help provide students with ways to improve and grow their soft skills.
We are seeing scientific communications transitioning from in-person to remote settings, and our students are excelling at rising to the challenges. South Florida has a diverse life science career field, and our students continue to be well prepared to enter the job market and succeed in their career paths.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Dr. Alexandra Gorgevska Ph.D.: The Palm Beach State College Biotechnology Program is a very hands-on intensive training program that ensures our graduates are well versed in fundamental life science laboratory techniques and sterile/aseptic techniques and instrumentation skills. As part of our program, students can earn two College Credit Certificates along with an A.S. degree that includes an industry internship experience.
We are very fortunate to have an excellent relationship with our business partners who are familiar with our facilities, worked with us for many years, and are aware of the vast instrumentation and hands-on training our students receive. They continue to provide career opportunities for our students and interns.
What type of skills will young Quality Control Technicians need?
John Wilbur Ph.D.: In the short-term, testing skills like PCR and ELISA seems essential, but I think the enduring skills or working with a team, writing, and other communication skills are most important.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
John Wilbur Ph.D.: Working in a research lab on a project is perhaps the most critical resume gem, but any work experience where you needed to coordinate with a team to complete tasks is something I would push forward. Specific skills are transient, but things like working with a group, finishing on deadlines, and communicating are things that stand out.
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.
Department HeadSoutheastern Louisiana University
Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Quality Control Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.: IoT and automation.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Quality Control Technicians in the next 5 years?
Mohammad Saadeh Ph.D.: There will be an increase; however, employers will be looking for a unique set of qualities/abilities. Some of the trends have been: technical writing, sales, communication, besides the technical skills, which must be current with the evolution in communication methods that we are experiencing.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Quality Control Technicians?
Glen P. Miller: Yes, there will be many enduring impacts. Office spaces and buildings will be devalued somewhat, while remote work and virtual meetings have become and will remain important. In chemistry and tangential fields, there will always be a need for in-person work in specialized laboratories, but the manner in which we communicate results internally and externally has changed. There will be less emphasis on in-person communication and a greater emphasis on remote and electronic communication, including email and video reports/presentations. Business travel will drop while skills that enable effective electronic communication will play an even larger role than they already do. Writing skills, including but not limited to technical writing, will become an increasingly valued characteristic of top employees. An ability to speak in a clear, articulate manner will also be prized. None of this, however, supersedes the need for graduates with a robust background in chemistry and a strong work ethic to match.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Glen P. Miller: Research experiences stand out on a resume, especially those leading to scientific publication in peer-reviewed journals or professional presentations (either poster or oral) at scientific meetings. Internships and/or previous employment in the field also stand out.
How do you envision technology impacting Quality Control Technicians in the next 5 years?
Glen P. Miller: The chemistry field is constantly impacted by advancements in scientific instrumentation, hardware, and software, especially those that cut across adjacent fields like biology and materials science. Job seekers should be well-grounded in current technologies while aware of recent developments and trends.
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning ConsultantUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Biological Sciences Department
What Quality Control Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: The answers here depend on why the gap year is needed. If the need is to have an income, this would need to be balanced against other desirable needs and wishes.
- Thinking about a whole gap year, the student should make a long-term commitment to skills improvement and fill in gaps in a resume or job application.
-If the new graduate can afford it, spend some time traveling, to be exposed to different cultures and languages. If the student lives in an area with a growing LatinX population, learning some Spanish would be useful.
-If it looks like the gap year will not include activities related to the job they hope to get at the end of the year, then take at least one STEM course in their area of interest so as not to lose their edge. This could be an online course (for example, a MOOC). Do it for credit if necessary, to prove (to themselves and others) that they still love and want to succeed in science.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Quality Control Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: -In any STEM field, predicting, recognizing, and fighting climate change looms large. In the life sciences, detecting the effects of environmental change at the species, individual, cellular, and molecular level will be increasingly necessary.
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.
What experience really stands out on Quality Control Technician resumes?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.: -A strong academic record, especially in the sciences.
-For any applicant, a research experience with a faculty or private-sector mentor is always a stand-out. Whether or not for academic credit, a valuable experience does not require that research efforts be successful. However, it will be supported by listing the mentor among the job applicant's academic references.
-The applicant should provide a written description of any independent research (laboratory or other) to be appended to the job application and cover letter. This document should communicate a clear understanding of the project and their role in it. I used to have my undergrad independent study researchers talk about their projects at weekly lab meetings. By the time they were looking for a job (or, for that matter, applying to grad school), I wanted these students to be able to articulate hypotheses being tested, to show how their experimental design would test predictions of alternative results, and finally to discuss their progress and any results obtained from their piece of the project. The ability to write clearly about their independent study goals and experience will reflect communication skills, a measure of scientific understanding, and their enthusiasm and pleasure of "doing science."
-Extracurricular activities that include collaborative work (team sports are suitable for this).
-Extracurricular volunteer activities that expose students to social situations outside of family, friends, and classmates. An ability to write about these experiences engagingly is always a stand-out asset.