Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$48,570
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$23.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$77,860
entry level starts ~$35,510
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 597,000 employed

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

The median pay for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the United States is $48,570 per year — about $23.35 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $35,510, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $77,860.

That is $12,820 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary range by percentile

Half of all Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn between $39,890 and $61,440 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,510$17.07
25th percentile (early career)$39,890$19.18
50th percentile (median)$48,570$23.35
75th percentile (experienced)$61,440$29.54
90th percentile (top earners)$77,860$37.43

Highest-paying states for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Alaska leads the country for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers pay at $78,150 a year, followed by Washington ($64,420) and Maryland ($61,790). At the other end, Alabama posts the lowest median at $40,010 — a gap of $38,140 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Alaska$78,150$37.57+61%
2Washington$64,420$30.97+33%
3Maryland$61,790$29.71+27%
4Hawaii$59,740$28.72+23%
5District of Columbia$59,730$28.72+23%

Workforce and education

About 597,000 people work as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $53,450 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers make in the United States?
The median Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary in the United States is $48,570 per year, or about $23.35 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,510, while the top 10% of earners make $77,860 or more.
How does Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers median of $48,570 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers the most?
Alaska is the highest-paying state for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, with a median salary of $78,150 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers work in the United States?
About 597,000 people were employed as Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.