Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$54,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $48,570
State Rank
#15 of 51
61,130 employed here

How much do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers make in California?

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in California take home a median of $54,300 annually — roughly $26.11 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $48,570.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,750 while the top 10% make $88,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,630 and $68,580 a year.

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,750$18.63
25th percentile (early career)$45,630$21.94
50th percentile (median)$54,300$26.11
75th percentile (experienced)$68,580$32.97
90th percentile (top earners)$88,210$42.41

How California compares

California ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$78,150
2Washington$64,420
3Maryland$61,790
4Hawaii$59,740
5District of Columbia$59,730

Working as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in California

Nationally, about 597,000 people work as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($54,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers make in California?
The median Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary in California is $54,300 per year, or about $26.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,750 at the entry level to $88,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers about 12% more than the national median of $48,570. California ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $54,300 a year. About 61,130 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.