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What does a quality inspector do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Quality inspector responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real quality inspector resumes:

  • 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.
  • Inspect all incoming material per specification including IPC standards and engineering change orders that must be incorporate prior to production release.
  • Perform maintenance on CMM including calibration.
  • Develop numerous training modules, utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint software.
  • Experience using digital data acquisition systems and NDT analysis software.
  • Coordinate and plan NDE services per code requirements and customer specifications.
  • Monitor fabrication activities to ensure adherence to company specification and API standards.
  • Crane operation to handle various forgings.
  • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments including rulers, calipers and gauges.
  • Perform fluorescent inspection on small turbine internal components, dimensional inspections utilizing precision hand tools and CMM equipment.

Quality inspector skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Quality Inspectors are proficient in Calipers, Micrometers, and Quality Standards. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Mechanical skills, and Physical strength.

We break down the percentage of Quality Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Calipers, 9%

    Measured dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments including rulers, calipers and gauges.

  • Micrometers, 7%

    Operated and maintained laboratory testing equipment; micrometers, calipers and air gauges to analyze material for conformance to product specifications.

  • Quality Standards, 6%

    Performed inspection of spareribs on various production codes to ensure compliance to company specifications and quality standards to satisfy customer needs.

  • Quality Inspection, 6%

    Performed end line Quality Inspection of medical disposable products on a high volume manufacturing production line following documented procedures and drawings.

  • Inspection Results, 4%

    Approve in process production by conforming specifications Documents inspection results by completing reports and logs; summarizing re-work and waste

  • CMM, 4%

    Performed maintenance on CMM including calibration.

Most quality inspectors use their skills in "calipers," "micrometers," and "quality standards" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential quality inspector responsibilities here:

Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling quality inspector duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "quality control inspectors use tools and machinery when testing products." According to a quality inspector resume, here's how quality inspectors can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "performed mechanical inspection/visual inspections to verify certifications and test reports for compliance and quality to requirements. "

Physical strength. This is an important skill for quality inspectors to perform their duties. For an example of how quality inspector responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "quality control inspectors may be required to lift or maneuver heavy production materials or finished products." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a quality inspector: "performed accurate physical and visual inspection of assemblies, components, and sub-assemblies according to inspection plans and specification requirements. ".

Technical skills. quality inspector responsibilities often require "technical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "to ensure that products and parts meet quality standards, inspectors must understand the relevant blueprints, technical documents, and manuals." This resume example shows what quality inspectors do with technical skills on a typical day: "provide quality technical expertise to achieve or exceed defined customer specifications assisting manufacturing in the assembly process via portable cmm arm. "

Math skills. Another crucial skill for a quality inspector to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what quality inspectors relies on this skill, since "knowledge of basic math is important for measuring, calibrating, and calculating specifications in quality control testing." How this skill relates to quality inspector duties can be seen in an example from a quality inspector resume snippet: "calculate allowable dimensional deviations, utilizing knowledge of shop math. "

All quality inspector skills

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Compare different quality inspectors

Quality inspector vs. Quality laboratory technician

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.

If we compare the average quality inspector annual salary with that of a quality laboratory technician, we find that quality laboratory technicians typically earn a $5,705 higher salary than quality inspectors make annually.Even though quality inspectors and quality laboratory technicians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require calipers, micrometers, and quality standards in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between quality inspectors and quality laboratory technician. For instance, quality inspector responsibilities require skills such as "quality inspection," "inspection results," "engineering drawings," and "basic math." Whereas a quality laboratory technician is skilled in "lab equipment," "quality lab," "food safety," and "laboratory procedures." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Quality laboratory technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $38,772. On the other hand, quality inspectors are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $39,397.On average, quality laboratory technicians reach similar levels of education than quality inspectors. Quality laboratory technicians are 1.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Quality inspector vs. Quality assurance technician

Quality assurance is an essential part of a company that offers products and services. It is critical that the company's output remains consistent and up to par with community standards. It is the assistant quality assurance manager's role to inspect, monitor, and evaluate the quality of every product. The goal is to establish customer satisfaction and trust. The assistant quality assurance manager works with the head manager and helps generate reports of daily activities for executive evaluations.

A career as a quality assurance technician brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a quality inspector. In fact, quality assurance technicians salary is $6,830 higher than the salary of quality inspectors per year.A few skills overlap for quality inspectors and quality assurance technicians. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "calipers," "quality standards," and "cmm. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that quality inspector responsibilities requires skills like "micrometers," "quality inspection," "inspection results," and "gd." But a quality assurance technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "food safety," "lab equipment," "quality products," and "haccp."

Quality assurance technicians earn a higher average salary than quality inspectors. But quality assurance technicians earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $46,500. Additionally, quality inspectors earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $39,397 annually.quality assurance technicians earn similar levels of education than quality inspectors in general. They're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Quality inspector vs. Quality control technician

Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee. Furthermore, a quality control technician must produce necessary reports and documentation, coordinate with managers and supervisors, maintain accurate documentation, and oversee a team to secure quality standard outcomes.

On average, quality control technicians earn higher salaries than quality inspectors, with a $7,140 difference per year.quality inspectors and quality control technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "calipers," "quality standards," and "cmm," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a quality inspector is likely to be skilled in "micrometers," "quality inspection," "inspection results," and "gd," while a typical quality control technician is skilled in "lab equipment," "quality control tests," "asphalt," and "quality products."

Quality control technicians earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $45,814. Quality inspectors earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $39,397.Most quality control technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to quality inspectors. For example, they're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Quality inspector vs. Inspector general

An inspector general is responsible for doing audit reports and inspections to ensure that no possible fraud, misconduct, corruption, or power abuse in the government or private sector occurs. Their role is to monitor and inspect the agencies' effectiveness, assess possible mismanagement of a company, and improve the economy. Also, they usually conduct and review audit reports or investigations to ensure an agency's compliance to the policies and guidelines.

Inspectors general typically earn higher pay than quality inspectors. On average, inspectors general earn a $14,829 higher salary per year.According to resumes from quality inspectors and inspectors general, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "inspection results," "inspection reports," and "corrective action. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between quality inspectors and inspectors general, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a quality inspector might have more use for skills like "calipers," "micrometers," "quality standards," and "quality inspection." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of inspectors general require skills like "ig," "oig," "dod," and "audit reports. "

Inspectors general enjoy the best pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $59,592. For comparison, quality inspectors earn the highest salary in the health care industry.The average resume of inspectors general showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to quality inspectors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 13.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.3%.

Types of quality inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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