Occupation Details
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$32,820.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$47,080.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$56,860.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
21,500
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
22,110
+61 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
2,629
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.0%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Ultrasonic Testing Technician
Learn MoreApprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Accelerometers
- Ammeters
- Backplane testers
- Beta gauges
- Bit error rate testers BERT
- Bubble leak testers
- Calipers
- Calorimetric leak testers
- Capacitive acceleration instruments
- Color spectrometers
- Compression testers
- Conductivity meters
- Continuity testers
- Coordinate measuring machines CMM
- Creep and stress relaxation testers
- Depth gauges
- Digital multimeters
- Digital resistance meters
- Digital resistance thermometers
- Digital voltmeters DVM
- Direct current DC power testers
- Ductility testers
- Eddy current probes
- Environmental chambers
- Fatigue testers
- Force transducers
- Forklifts
- Frequency counters
- Frequency meters
- Function generators
Technology
- Apache Pig
- Atlassian JIRA
- Computer assisted design software
- Computer-aided inspection software
- Cybermetrics GAGETrak
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Data analysis software
- Database software
- Design of experiments DOE software
- Extensible markup language XML
- FileMaker Pro
- IBM Notes
- Inspection marking systems
- Label inspection systems
- Mastercam Design
- Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- adjust production equipment/machinery setup
- maintain inspection tools or equipment
- communicate technical information
- confer with vendors
- determine specifications or testing procedures
- install/connect electrical equipment to power circuit
- modify electrical or electronic equipment or products
- determine specifications
- maintain records, reports, or files
- prepare reports
- prepare safety reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use spreadsheet software
- operate industrial or nondestructive testing equipment
- operate packaging or banding machine or equipment
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate precision test equipment
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- operate pneumatic test equipment
- evaluate material specifications
- test manufactured products or materials
- load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
- move materials or goods between work areas
- compute product or materials test results
- mark items for acceptance or rejection, according to conformance to specifications
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- use hazardous materials information
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use quality assurance techniques
- use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
- use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
- follow manufacturing methods or techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use long or short term production planning techniques
- use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
- follow statistical process control procedures
- use knowledge of metric system
- package goods for shipment or storage
- collect samples for testing
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- compare findings with specifications to ensure conformance to standards
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read production layouts
- read technical drawings
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- attach or mark identification onto products or containers
- distinguish colors
- understand engineering data or reports
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- recognize characteristics of metals
- recognize characteristics of pulps
- recognize wood species characteristics
- sort manufacturing materials or products
- recognize characteristics of alloys
- grade, classify, or sort products according to specifications
- understand measuring devices
- conduct performance testing
- maintain consistent production quality
- inspect manufactured products or materials
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- maintain safe work environment
- monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
- monitor repairs or maintenance to enforce standards
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
- Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
- Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
- Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
- Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
- Write test or inspection reports describing results, recommendations, or needed repairs.
- Recommend necessary corrective actions, based on inspection results.
- Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.
- Make minor adjustments to equipment, such as turning setscrews to calibrate instruments to required tolerances.
- Read blueprints, data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and testing procedures, adjustment methods, certification processes, formulas, or measuring instruments required.
- Check arriving materials to ensure that they match purchase orders, submitting discrepancy reports as necessary.
- Inspect or test raw materials, parts, or products to determine compliance with environmental standards.
- Monitor production operations or equipment to ensure conformance to specifications, making necessary process or assembly adjustments.
- Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content, and quantities inspected or graded.
- Analyze test data, making computations as necessary, to determine test results.
- Compare colors, shapes, textures, or grades of products or materials with color charts, templates, or samples to verify conformance to standards.
- Clean, maintain, calibrate, or repair measuring instruments or test equipment, such as dial indicators, fixed gauges, or height gauges.
- Fabricate, install, position, or connect components, parts, finished products, or instruments for testing or operational purposes.
- Administer tests to assess whether engineers or operators are qualified to use equipment.
- Monitor machines that automatically measure, sort, or inspect products.
- Interpret legal requirements, provide safety information, or recommend compliance procedures to contractors, craft workers, engineers, or property owners.
- Adjust, clean, or repair products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections.
- Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
- Position products, components, or parts for testing.
- Compute usable amounts of items in shipments.
- Inspect or test cleantech or green technology parts, products, or installations, such as fuel cells, solar panels, or air quality devices, for conformance to specifications or standards.
- Collect or select samples for testing or for use as models.
- Grade, classify, or sort products according to sizes, weights, colors, or other specifications.
- Disassemble defective parts or components, such as inaccurate or worn gauges or measuring instruments.
- Compute defect percentages or averages, using formulas and calculators.
- Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.
- Weigh materials, products, containers, or samples to verify packaging weights or ingredient quantities.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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