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Inspectors, testers, and sorters play a crucial role in maintaining quality standards across various sectors, from manufacturing to food production. These professionals are tasked with evaluating products and materials to ensure they meet specific guidelines and requirements.
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Inspector, Tester, Sorter is around $40,639 annually, or $20 per hour. Experience level significantly influences earnings, with entry-level positions starting at lower rates, while experienced professionals can command higher salaries.
Salaries vary by state and city, with some regions offering higher pay due to demand for skilled workers. For instance, urban centers tend to present more lucrative opportunities compared to rural areas.
Inspectors, testers, and sorters can find diverse job opportunities in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and quality assurance. By focusing on building relevant skills and gaining experience, professionals in this field can enhance their career prospects and increase their earning potential.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level inspector, tester, sorter | $24,100 | $11.58 |
| Mid-level inspector, tester, sorter | $38,400 | $18.47 |
| Senior-level inspector, tester, sorter | $50,800 | $24.42 |
The highest-paying states for inspectors, tester sorter are Connecticut, Virginia, and Maryland. The lowest average inspector, tester, sorter salary states are Hawaii, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $60,931 | $29.29 |
| 2 | Virginia | $48,636 | $23.38 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $57,142 | $27.47 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $42,046 | $20.21 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $44,445 | $21.37 |
| 6 | Maryland | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| 7 | Texas | $43,629 | $20.98 |
| 8 | Nevada | $40,973 | $19.70 |
| 9 | Delaware | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| 10 | Louisiana | $45,299 | $21.78 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $40,141 | $19.30 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $42,935 | $20.64 |
| 13 | North Dakota | $37,283 | $17.92 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $44,784 | $21.53 |
| 15 | Vermont | $38,841 | $18.67 |
| 16 | Indiana | $37,106 | $17.84 |
| 17 | Maine | $38,005 | $18.27 |
| 18 | Montana | $37,743 | $18.15 |
| 19 | Florida | $40,498 | $19.47 |
| 20 | Utah | $37,432 | $18.00 |
| 21 | Alaska | $42,082 | $20.23 |
| 22 | Ohio | $35,647 | $17.14 |
| 23 | Massachusetts | $41,502 | $19.95 |
| 24 | Washington | $40,791 | $19.61 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $36,709 | $17.65 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $38,837 | $18.67 |
| 27 | New York | $40,943 | $19.68 |
| 28 | Michigan | $36,028 | $17.32 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $36,545 | $17.57 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $35,081 | $16.87 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $33,694 | $16.20 |
| 32 | Iowa | $36,448 | $17.52 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $35,277 | $16.96 |
| 34 | Idaho | $35,849 | $17.24 |
| 35 | Arizona | $35,368 | $17.00 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $35,577 | $17.10 |
| 37 | California | $35,154 | $16.90 |
| 38 | Kansas | $34,130 | $16.41 |
| 39 | Oregon | $36,893 | $17.74 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $33,492 | $16.10 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $32,332 | $15.54 |
| 42 | Illinois | $36,509 | $17.55 |
| 43 | Colorado | $33,378 | $16.05 |
| 44 | Georgia | $33,347 | $16.03 |
| 45 | Missouri | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $33,213 | $15.97 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $32,022 | $15.40 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $32,484 | $15.62 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $30,901 | $14.86 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $31,367 | $15.08 |
| 51 | Alabama | $30,110 | $14.48 |
The highest-paying cities for inspectors, tester sorter are Houston, TX, Clifton, NJ, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $44,239 | $21.27 |
| 2 | Clifton, NJ | $44,203 | $21.25 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $41,195 | $19.81 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $35,315 | $16.98 |
| 5 | Little Rock, AR | $33,574 | $16.14 |
An inspector, tester, sorter's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| Average | $40,639 | $3,387 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of inspectors, tester sorter are senior inspector, lead inspector, and weld inspector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assurance Inspector | $36,842 | $3,070 | $17.71 | 74,410 |
| Certified Welding Inspector | $47,494 | $3,958 | $22.83 | 50,814 |
| Quality Control Inspector | $35,018 | $2,918 | $16.84 | 92,794 |
| Mechanical Inspector | $49,727 | $4,144 | $23.91 | 33,863 |
| Technical Inspector | $38,939 | $3,245 | $18.72 | 83,675 |
| Receiving Inspector | $39,175 | $3,265 | $18.83 | 24,791 |
Top companies hiring inspectors, tester sorter now:
Inspector, tester, sorter salaries at Vital and Atlas Iron are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average inspector, tester, sorter salary at companies like F. Gavina And Sons, Inc. and North American Corporation are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vital | $40,391 | $19.42 |
| 2 | Atlas Iron | $40,241 | $19.35 |
| 3 | F. Gavina And Sons, Inc. | $39,844 | $19.16 |
| 4 | North American Corporation | $36,092 | $17.35 |
The average inspector, tester, sorter salary has risen by $6,449 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average inspector, tester, sorter earned $34,190 annually, but today, they earn $40,639 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for inspectors, tester sorter over the last decade.
Compare inspector, tester, sorter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare inspector, tester, sorter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $40,600 | $19.54 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $39,300 | $18.90 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $38,400 | $18.47 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $37,500 | $18.03 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $36,900 | $17.76 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerotek | NDT Inspector-Ultrasonic Testing | Santa Fe Springs, CA | 06/28/2025 | $52,175 |
| Manpowergroup | Inspector/Tester/Sorter | Benwood, WV | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| Joby Aviation | Nondestructive Test (NDT) Inspector | San Carlos, CA | 06/19/2025 | $81,393 |
| Hutco Inc. | Radiography Testing Inspector 2 | Newport News, VA | 04/28/2025 | $56,996 |
| Manpowergroup | Inspector/Tester/Sorter | Marion, AR | 03/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| CTR Corporation (Dba CTR Group | Liquid Penetrant/Magnetic Particle/Visual Testing Inspector II | Newport News, VA | 02/05/2025 | $96,002 |
| Key Skilled | Inspector Tester 2Nd Shift | Anaheim, CA | 01/11/2025 | $41,740 |
| Quality Support Services | Radiography Testing Inspector Needed | Newport News, VA | 12/08/2024 | $20,870 |
| Manpowergroup | Marion-Inspector/Tester/Sorter | Marion, OH | 12/06/2024 | $31,305 |
| Department of Defense | Nondestructive Test Inspector | Kittery, ME | 10/17/2024 | $76,551 |
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