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Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn a median $48,570 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median
$48,570
$23.35 per hour
Range
$35,510 – $77,860
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
597,370
across the U.S.
▲2.3%
Pay trend: The median for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers in the U.S. rose from $47,460 (May 2024) to $48,570 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).

What inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers do

Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
+2.5% (about average)
Openings per year
66,700
Self-employed
1%

Employment of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 66,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$41,206
per year · effective tax rate 15.2%
$3,434Monthly
$1,717Twice a month
$1,585Every 2 weeks
$19.81Hourly
  • Federal income tax$3,648
  • Social Security (6.2%)$3,011
  • Medicare (1.45%)$704
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$41,206

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$35,510$17.07$30,712
25th percentile$39,890$19.18$34,232
Median (50th)$48,570$23.35$41,206
75th percentile$61,440$29.54$51,547
90th percentile (top earners)$77,860$37.43$63,605

Best cities for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers (after tax & cost of living)

#Metro areaMedianTake-homeReal value*Jobs
1Seattle, WA$76,800$62,859$56,5628,190
2Wichita, KS$63,030$50,107$56,3343,590
3Kansas City, MO$63,000$50,777$54,8685,210
4Tulsa, OK$56,210$45,361$50,8452,880
5Hartford, CT$60,040$48,645$47,3453,110
6Virginia Beach, VA$57,330$45,762$46,7242,370
7Washington, DC$61,820$49,281$45,2602,770
8Minneapolis, MN$58,900$47,024$44,8616,300
9Denver, CO$58,430$47,266$44,6822,670
10St. Louis, MO$51,790$42,296$44,4815,540
11San Jose, CA$60,610$48,406$43,8375,080
12Cleveland, OH$49,020$41,002$43,6555,520
13San Francisco, CA$62,340$49,670$42,9626,860
14Boston, MA$58,210$46,261$42,7297,800
15San Diego, CA$59,550$47,632$42,5715,950
16Portland, OR$58,460$44,867$42,5603,790
17Cincinnati, OH$48,340$40,474$42,4396,560
18Pittsburgh, PA$49,090$40,117$42,3754,020
19San Antonio, TX$47,040$39,977$42,2073,650
20Louisville, KY$48,000$39,186$42,1024,040
21Austin, TX$48,260$40,957$41,7654,100
22Nashville, TN$47,170$40,081$41,6054,490
23Milwaukee, WI$49,180$40,313$41,5874,230
24Memphis, TN$44,910$38,265$41,5123,160
25Phoenix, AZ$52,000$42,871$41,4958,080

*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).

Highest-paying cities

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
Alaska $78,150−20.9%$63,809 $49,500 – $142,430300
Washington $64,420+10.2%$53,941 $40,830 – $115,24012,010
Maryland $61,790+5.2%$49,257 $37,440 – $99,2204,600
Hawaii $59,740+9.0%$47,171 $36,040 – $93,460650
District of Columbia $59,730−14.7%$47,737 $41,130 – $91,51070
Colorado $58,350+3.5%$47,205 $43,690 – $82,4205,220
Montana $58,070+1.0%$46,867 $37,470 – $101,260580
Wyoming $57,900−3.4%$48,703 $39,370 – $98,990990
Delaware $57,190+7.7%$45,635 $37,570 – $80,6501,020
Minnesota $57,170+9.1%$45,752 $42,030 – $76,5109,710
Connecticut $57,090+5.3%$46,408 $38,500 – $94,2707,460
Rhode Island $54,940+6.0%$44,881 $37,400 – $88,7101,790
New Hampshire $54,800+6.5%$46,212 $41,660 – $77,5203,050
Missouri $54,420+7.3%$44,286 $36,630 – $78,41012,480
California $54,300+7.7%$43,797 $38,750 – $88,21061,130
Oregon $54,120+3.7%$41,760 $38,340 – $82,2705,690
Kansas $53,680−4.0%$43,116 $37,800 – $80,9109,300
Maine $53,570+14.0%$42,789 $34,200 – $79,7301,800
Massachusetts $52,270+4.4%$41,785 $38,140 – $76,33010,650
Arizona $52,100+2.9%$42,949 $39,210 – $77,72011,120
Nebraska $51,270+1.7%$41,922 $39,130 – $66,1103,350
North Dakota $50,820−1.0%$43,014 $40,500 – $81,5601,800
Iowa $50,740+3.7%$41,673 $39,160 – $71,2407,230
New York $49,990+2.5%$40,245 $37,190 – $77,93019,790
Oklahoma $49,630−1.0%$40,370 $35,680 – $75,9807,430
Wisconsin $49,610+1.2%$40,640 $37,290 – $69,27017,670
Virginia $49,590+3.4%$39,988 $36,210 – $76,3909,830
New Mexico $49,500+2.0%$40,792 $36,080 – $81,3401,550
Louisiana $49,490−1.2%$40,847 $35,220 – $94,4508,110
Nevada $49,280+0.5%$41,776 $35,530 – $98,7004,040
New Jersey $49,140+0.6%$40,497 $35,740 – $77,33012,280
Utah $48,910+1.9%$40,244 $37,640 – $77,9306,630
Pennsylvania $48,320+1.6%$39,522 $35,720 – $73,89025,870
Illinois $47,920+1.9%$38,456 $36,220 – $75,03031,700
Indiana $47,900+1.9%$39,284 $35,590 – $72,86024,790
Florida $47,540+2.5%$40,378 $33,040 – $75,55022,630
Ohio $47,360+2.5%$39,714 $35,680 – $73,84032,060
South Dakota $47,240+1.7%$40,137 $37,930 – $64,0701,090
West Virginia $47,010−4.1%$38,565 $30,500 – $80,9302,720
South Carolina $46,890+4.6%$38,200 $35,010 – $70,43013,360
North Carolina $46,430+5.5%$38,143 $31,590 – $71,77019,700
Kentucky $46,280+1.8%$37,864 $34,460 – $66,33012,880
Texas $46,210+5.5%$39,310 $32,200 – $78,56056,390
Vermont $46,210−5.2%$38,196 $38,500 – $72,740900
Georgia $46,130+4.8%$37,474 $33,860 – $71,45019,980
Tennessee $45,760+2.0%$38,948 $34,110 – $66,34017,140
Idaho $45,130+7.1%$37,158 $34,790 – $83,3702,900
Arkansas $44,570+7.2%$36,466 $33,890 – $61,9105,880
Michigan $44,490+4.8%$36,288 $34,240 – $64,01027,980
Mississippi $40,670+2.8%$33,964 $30,840 – $65,4806,970
Alabama $40,010+2.1%$32,593 $28,130 – $63,06013,120

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,540High school diploma or equivalent-1.7%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,250High school diploma or equivalent+2.5%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$48,990High school diploma or equivalent-6.1%
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$48,040High school diploma or equivalent+2.6%
Medical Appliance Technician$48,030High school diploma or equivalent+3.5%
Dental Laboratory Technician$49,610High school diploma or equivalent-5.9%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50,270High school diploma or equivalent-3.6%
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,570High school diploma or equivalent-0.9%
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender$46,460High school diploma or equivalent+1.3%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690High school diploma or equivalent-9.4%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers make?

The national median salary for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers is $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,510 and the top 10% earn over $77,860. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers the most?

Alaska has the highest median pay at $78,150. After taxes and local prices, Seattle, WA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.

How many inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers are there in the U.S.?

About 597,370 people work as inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers nationwide.

All 45 cities