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Quality inspector vs quality laboratory technician

The differences between quality inspectors and quality laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a quality laboratory technician has an average salary of $38,902, which is higher than the $33,197 average annual salary of a quality inspector.

The top three skills for a quality inspector include calipers, micrometers and quality standards. The most important skills for a quality laboratory technician are lab equipment, quality lab, and test results.

Quality inspector vs quality laboratory technician overview

Quality InspectorQuality Laboratory Technician
Yearly salary$33,197$38,902
Hourly rate$15.96$18.70
Growth rate-3%3%
Number of jobs70,978104,887
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4545
Years of experience-4

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.

What does a quality laboratory technician do?

A Quality Laboratory Technician ensures that lab procedures and equipment meet a certain standard, as well as monitors production. They maintain quality service and a safe and healthy work environment through following organization standards.

Quality inspector vs quality laboratory technician salary

Quality inspectors and quality laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Quality InspectorQuality Laboratory Technician
Average salary$33,197$38,902
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $42,000Between $31,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNHillsboro, OR
Highest paying stateWashingtonIdaho
Best paying companyNabors IndustriesOMNOVA Solutions
Best paying industryHealth CareManufacturing

Differences between quality inspector and quality laboratory technician education

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

Quality InspectorQuality Laboratory Technician
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorBusinessBiology
Most common college-Stanford University

Quality inspector vs quality laboratory technician demographics

Here are the differences between quality inspectors' and quality laboratory technicians' demographics:

Quality InspectorQuality Laboratory Technician
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 54.1% Female, 45.9%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%6%

Differences between quality inspector and quality laboratory technician duties and responsibilities

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

Quality laboratory technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage CAPA projects/assignments using CATSWeb system.
  • Perform tests on raw ingredients, ration and finish product of dry pet foods using GMP and HACCP practices.
  • Perform quality control testing on refrigerant gases utilizing gas chromatography
  • Conduct rigorous quality control analyses using gas chromatography to verify product purity.
  • Measure parts for conformity with specifications, using micrometers, calipers and other precision instruments.
  • Follow good laboratory practices and ensure HACCP plans are being follow.
  • Show more

Quality inspector vs quality laboratory technician skills

Common quality inspector skills
  • Calipers, 9%
  • Micrometers, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 6%
  • Quality Inspection, 6%
  • Inspection Results, 4%
  • CMM, 4%
Common quality laboratory technician skills
  • Lab Equipment, 10%
  • Quality Lab, 8%
  • Test Results, 5%
  • Food Safety, 5%
  • GMP, 4%
  • Laboratory Procedures, 4%

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