Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers (SOC 51-9061) employed 597,370 people in May 2025. The median pay is $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,510 and the highest-paid 10% more than $77,860. BLS projects its employment to change by +2.5% between 2025 and 2035 (about 66,700 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: Alaska ($78,150), Washington ($64,420), Maryland ($61,790). Most jobs: California (61,130), Texas (56,390), Ohio (32,060).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| 25th percentile | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Median | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Mean | $53,450 | $25.70 |
| 75th percentile | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $77,860 | $37.43 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 602,000 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 617,200 |
| Change in jobs | 15,200 |
| Percent change | +2.5% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 66,700 |
| Self-employed share | 1.2% |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 13,120 | 1.62 | $40,010 | $28,130 | $63,060 | -18% | 32% |
| Alaska | 300 | 0.24 | $78,150 | $49,500 | $142,430 | +61% | 22% |
| Arizona | 11,120 | 0.89 | $52,100 | $39,210 | $77,720 | +7% | 39% |
| Arkansas | 5,880 | 1.17 | $44,570 | $33,890 | $61,910 | -8% | 26% |
| California | 61,130 | 0.87 | $54,300 | $38,750 | $88,210 | +12% | 46% |
| Colorado | 5,220 | 0.47 | $58,350 | $43,690 | $82,420 | +20% | 37% |
| Connecticut | 7,460 | 1.15 | $57,090 | $38,500 | $94,270 | +18% | 33% |
| Delaware | 1,020 | 0.55 | $57,190 | $37,570 | $80,650 | +18% | 32% |
| District of Columbia | 70 | 0.03 | $59,730 | $41,130 | $91,510 | +23% | 39% |
| Florida | 22,630 | 0.59 | $47,540 | $33,040 | $75,550 | -2% | 46% |
| Georgia | 19,980 | 1.06 | $46,130 | $33,860 | $71,450 | -5% | 39% |
| Hawaii | 650 | 0.27 | $59,740 | $36,040 | $93,460 | +23% | 39% |
| Idaho | 2,900 | 0.88 | $45,130 | $34,790 | $83,370 | -7% | 37% |
| Illinois | 31,700 | 1.35 | $47,920 | $36,220 | $75,030 | -1% | 33% |
| Indiana | 24,790 | 2.02 | $47,900 | $35,590 | $72,860 | -1% | 28% |
| Iowa | 7,230 | 1.21 | $50,740 | $39,160 | $71,240 | +4% | 23% |
| Kansas | 9,300 | 1.68 | $53,680 | $37,800 | $80,910 | +11% | 24% |
| Kentucky | 12,880 | 1.68 | $46,280 | $34,460 | $66,330 | -5% | 26% |
| Louisiana | 8,110 | 1.09 | $49,490 | $35,220 | $94,450 | +2% | 26% |
| Maine | 1,800 | 0.73 | $53,570 | $34,200 | $79,730 | +10% | 27% |
| Maryland | 4,600 | 0.43 | $61,790 | $37,440 | $99,220 | +27% | 33% |
| Massachusetts | 10,650 | 0.76 | $52,270 | $38,140 | $76,330 | +8% | 42% |
| Michigan | 27,980 | 1.65 | $44,490 | $34,240 | $64,010 | -8% | 32% |
| Minnesota | 9,710 | 0.86 | $57,170 | $42,030 | $76,510 | +18% | 27% |
| Mississippi | 6,970 | 1.56 | $40,670 | $30,840 | $65,480 | -16% | 29% |
| Missouri | 12,480 | 1.11 | $54,420 | $36,630 | $78,410 | +12% | 24% |
| Montana | 580 | 0.29 | $58,070 | $37,470 | $101,260 | +20% | 24% |
| Nebraska | 3,350 | 0.85 | $51,270 | $39,130 | $66,110 | +6% | 26% |
| Nevada | 4,040 | 0.68 | $49,280 | $35,530 | $98,700 | +1% | 42% |
| New Hampshire | 3,050 | 1.16 | $54,800 | $41,660 | $77,520 | +13% | 34% |
| New Jersey | 12,280 | 0.75 | $49,140 | $35,740 | $77,330 | +1% | 44% |
| New Mexico | 1,550 | 0.46 | $49,500 | $36,080 | $81,340 | +2% | 27% |
| New York | 19,790 | 0.53 | $49,990 | $37,190 | $77,930 | +3% | 39% |
| North Carolina | 19,700 | 1.04 | $46,430 | $31,590 | $71,770 | -4% | 35% |
| North Dakota | 1,800 | 1.09 | $50,820 | $40,500 | $81,560 | +5% | 23% |
| Ohio | 32,060 | 1.50 | $47,360 | $35,680 | $73,840 | -2% | 28% |
| Oklahoma | 7,430 | 1.13 | $49,630 | $35,680 | $75,980 | +2% | 25% |
| Oregon | 5,690 | 0.75 | $54,120 | $38,340 | $82,270 | +11% | 35% |
| Pennsylvania | 25,870 | 1.11 | $48,320 | $35,720 | $73,890 | -1% | 31% |
| Rhode Island | 1,790 | 0.93 | $54,940 | $37,400 | $88,710 | +13% | 31% |
| South Carolina | 13,360 | 1.51 | $46,890 | $35,010 | $70,430 | -3% | 33% |
| South Dakota | 1,090 | 0.62 | $47,240 | $37,930 | $64,070 | -3% | 25% |
| Tennessee | 17,140 | 1.36 | $45,760 | $34,110 | $66,340 | -6% | 34% |
| Texas | 56,390 | 1.04 | $46,210 | $32,200 | $78,560 | -5% | 38% |
| Utah | 6,630 | 0.99 | $48,910 | $37,640 | $77,930 | +1% | 39% |
| Vermont | 900 | 0.77 | $46,210 | $38,500 | $72,740 | -5% | 34% |
| Virginia | 9,830 | 0.62 | $49,590 | $36,210 | $76,390 | +2% | 40% |
| Washington | 12,010 | 0.88 | $64,420 | $40,830 | $115,240 | +33% | 34% |
| West Virginia | 2,720 | 1.01 | $47,010 | $30,500 | $80,930 | -3% | 23% |
| Wisconsin | 17,670 | 1.56 | $49,610 | $37,290 | $69,270 | +2% | 28% |
| Wyoming | 990 | 0.92 | $57,900 | $39,370 | $98,990 | +19% | 21% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 8,190 | $76,800 | $46,020 | $115,240 | 1.02 |
| Savannah, GA | 1,110 | $72,800 | $37,590 | $107,880 | 1.46 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 490 | $63,570 | $39,070 | $108,870 | 1.26 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | 600 | $63,520 | $31,410 | $93,730 | 0.99 |
| Wichita, KS | 3,590 | $63,030 | $41,100 | $88,450 | 3.03 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 5,210 | $63,000 | $39,430 | $78,410 | 1.24 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 1,410 | $62,470 | $40,340 | $94,810 | 0.81 |
| Albany, OR | 400 | $62,460 | $44,900 | $82,280 | 2.23 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 6,860 | $62,340 | $45,420 | $99,920 | 0.75 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,770 | $61,820 | $38,840 | $100,250 | 0.23 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 520 | $61,630 | $35,940 | $96,220 | 0.30 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 1,020 | $60,860 | $34,750 | $79,730 | 0.92 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2,140 | $60,750 | $38,050 | $95,130 | 0.41 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 5,080 | $60,610 | $46,080 | $92,670 | 1.17 |
| Boulder, CO | 790 | $60,400 | $46,670 | $88,420 | 1.07 |
| Bloomington, IN | 640 | $60,360 | $38,760 | $72,890 | 2.27 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,520 | $60,360 | $30,100 | $103,260 | 0.89 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 3,110 | $60,040 | $38,370 | $102,460 | 1.35 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | 510 | $59,870 | $37,350 | $104,600 | 1.61 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,580 | $59,720 | $36,660 | $97,880 | 1.00 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 5,950 | $59,550 | $40,610 | $94,550 | 1.01 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,340 | $59,080 | $39,250 | $90,840 | 0.90 |
| Greeley, CO | 360 | $58,960 | $44,350 | $82,610 | 0.79 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 6,300 | $58,900 | $45,380 | $77,330 | 0.84 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 740 | $58,850 | $37,020 | $60,320 | 3.09 |
| Yuma, AZ | 480 | $58,840 | $35,980 | $75,610 | 1.80 |
| Mobile, AL | 660 | $58,790 | $30,980 | $95,060 | 1.00 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,790 | $58,460 | $39,530 | $82,620 | 0.82 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,670 | $58,430 | $45,050 | $82,420 | 0.43 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 7,800 | $58,210 | $41,070 | $79,840 | 0.75 |
| Lima, OH | 500 | $57,990 | $35,530 | $85,120 | 2.59 |
| Wilmington, NC | 370 | $57,840 | $36,390 | $86,280 | 0.50 |
| Decatur, IL | 420 | $57,700 | $42,770 | $62,110 | 2.41 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 750 | $57,660 | $38,070 | $91,650 | 2.00 |
| Lincoln, NE | 530 | $57,590 | $39,630 | $72,200 | 0.76 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 2,370 | $57,330 | $38,060 | $79,030 | 0.81 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | 620 | $57,260 | $38,470 | $69,390 | 1.71 |
| Topeka, KS | 500 | $57,050 | $38,070 | $75,060 | 1.12 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 570 | $56,890 | $38,690 | $88,200 | 0.74 |
| Peoria, IL | 950 | $56,770 | $39,000 | $81,630 | 1.49 |
| Sandusky, OH | 310 | $56,750 | $37,830 | $70,410 | 1.59 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 370 | $56,740 | $45,240 | $91,810 | 0.57 |
| Springfield, OH | 320 | $56,310 | $35,040 | $66,780 | 1.81 |
| Tulsa, OK | 2,880 | $56,210 | $35,710 | $77,980 | 1.63 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 300 | $56,160 | $34,850 | $80,780 | 0.62 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 740 | $56,120 | $38,230 | $66,390 | 3.17 |
| Vallejo, CA | 570 | $55,700 | $39,090 | $89,130 | 1.03 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 1,020 | $55,540 | $39,140 | $101,550 | 0.66 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 720 | $55,430 | $34,380 | $78,820 | 1.60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 620 | $55,120 | $38,900 | $80,270 | 0.63 |
| Greenville, NC | 300 | $54,820 | $33,800 | $77,890 | 0.95 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 410 | $54,800 | $43,570 | $63,800 | 1.41 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,980 | $54,450 | $40,610 | $86,010 | 0.48 |
| Amarillo, TX | 680 | $53,970 | $38,050 | $93,170 | 1.42 |
| Madison, WI | 1,590 | $53,940 | $39,300 | $75,910 | 1.01 |
| Modesto, CA | 720 | $53,560 | $37,600 | $64,840 | 0.96 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 310 | $52,820 | $40,650 | $72,740 | 0.66 |
| Ogden, UT | 1,380 | $52,800 | $38,540 | $80,640 | 1.32 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 420 | $52,170 | $33,280 | $73,550 | 1.01 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 8,080 | $52,000 | $39,470 | $77,720 | 0.89 |
The median is $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $35,510 and the highest-paid tenth over $77,860 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
597,370 in May 2025, and BLS projects +2.5% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
Alaska, with a median of $78,150 (among states with published figures).