Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Quality Inspector pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the United States was $48,570 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $39,890 and $61,440.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Lead Quality Inspector is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,510 | $39,890 | $48,570 | $61,440 | $77,860 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.07 | $19.18 | $23.35 | $29.54 | $37.44 |
BLS estimated 597,370 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $46,820 | $36,760 to $59,760 | 6,830 | 0.63 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $47,180 | $38,420 to $57,620 | 3,760 | 0.68 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $45,630 | $37,230 to $59,060 | 2,790 | 0.51 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $49,460 | $44,150 to $59,610 | 1,420 | 0.5 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,160 | $41,120 to $62,720 | 16,370 | 0.45 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,160 | $41,120 to $62,720 | 16,370 | 0.45 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $46,210 | $38,390 to $59,280 | 16,440 | 1.06 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $48,230 | $41,620 to $60,340 | 23,080 | 1.33 |
Rank every metro for Lead Quality Inspector
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$74,450
- Motor Vehicle Manufacturing$73,310
- Ship and Boat Building$64,560
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$64,420
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$64,420
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$61,330
- Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing$61,140
- Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing$60,820
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing$60,620
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$59,260
- Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing$59,190
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing$58,360
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$57,780
- Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only)$57,110
- Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing$56,280
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 382,920 | $43,050 | $49,270 | $61,460 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 63,910 | $47,390 | $60,620 | $77,420 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 47,990 | $44,350 | $49,410 | $60,470 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 46,600 | $38,690 | $46,100 | $51,520 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 35,730 | $38,770 | $45,820 | $50,530 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 32,800 | $44,970 | $50,120 | $61,740 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 32,480 | $45,540 | $55,250 | $65,450 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 29,910 | $38,680 | $45,630 | $49,600 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 28,190 | $46,460 | $54,760 | $62,540 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 26,120 | $60,260 | $74,450 | $93,290 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 21,920 | $40,470 | $47,070 | $55,850 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 19,460 | $40,490 | $48,480 | $60,400 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 18,660 | $46,570 | $53,970 | $62,430 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 17,830 | $43,660 | $48,640 | $59,190 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 17,440 | $46,950 | $59,260 | $72,860 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 17,210 | $37,210 | $41,070 | $47,570 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 17,190 | $42,910 | $48,570 | $59,840 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 14,050 | $45,350 | $49,940 | $60,720 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 13,840 | $44,600 | $49,520 | $61,220 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 13,800 | $45,100 | $50,680 | $61,110 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 13,430 | $46,550 | $54,510 | $62,530 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 10,570 | $48,480 | $58,360 | $66,930 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 10,330 | $46,260 | $51,620 | $60,320 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 10,330 | $46,260 | $51,620 | $60,320 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 10,030 | $47,390 | $57,110 | $66,250 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 9,420 | $41,910 | $51,060 | $63,770 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 9,230 | $46,800 | $54,690 | $62,500 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 9,100 | $40,640 | $47,770 | $56,580 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 7,030 | $63,060 | $73,310 | $78,410 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 6,680 | $40,340 | $47,420 | $59,740 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 6,330 | $38,690 | $45,960 | $50,760 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 6,240 | $45,110 | $49,640 | $60,390 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 6,120 | $39,420 | $47,830 | $55,730 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 6,050 | $38,590 | $44,870 | $49,030 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 5,830 | $39,070 | $47,600 | $59,530 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 5,710 | $46,700 | $52,060 | $61,370 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 5,620 | $43,680 | $49,100 | $61,330 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 5,620 | $37,110 | $44,670 | $52,200 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 5,560 | $46,450 | $50,350 | $60,320 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 5,520 | $39,140 | $45,750 | $55,830 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 4,940 | $36,950 | $41,160 | $47,650 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 4,850 | $37,030 | $41,720 | $48,530 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 4,850 | $37,030 | $41,720 | $48,530 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 4,590 | $47,310 | $52,070 | $58,980 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 4,570 | $38,790 | $46,970 | $58,040 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 4,440 | $37,100 | $41,850 | $47,960 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 4,190 | $39,580 | $46,260 | $50,560 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 4,100 | $47,500 | $53,620 | $61,460 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 4,060 | $43,070 | $49,330 | $60,400 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 4,020 | $35,630 | $38,610 | $45,130 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 4,020 | $42,850 | $47,900 | $58,330 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 3,690 | $47,540 | $53,390 | $61,090 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 3,580 | $40,540 | $47,550 | $53,490 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 3,330 | $49,230 | $61,140 | $75,860 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 2,980 | $55,840 | $64,560 | $82,130 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 2,570 | $49,860 | $64,420 | $96,120 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 2,570 | $49,860 | $64,420 | $96,120 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 2,390 | $29,520 | $45,200 | $55,760 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 2,290 | $47,040 | $56,280 | $64,870 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 2,280 | $36,220 | $39,000 | $46,360 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 2,240 | $43,670 | $48,100 | $60,070 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 2,140 | $46,890 | $53,440 | $62,140 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 2,130 | $30,310 | $36,080 | $39,180 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 2,110 | $35,350 | $41,500 | $46,520 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 2,070 | $46,690 | $57,780 | $72,540 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 2,020 | $46,910 | $54,140 | $60,450 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 2,010 | $48,830 | $59,190 | $66,890 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 1,640 | $44,310 | $47,980 | $56,980 |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | 1,600 | $37,110 | $37,110 | $40,350 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 1,550 | $46,170 | $55,320 | $62,270 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 1,530 | $46,910 | $51,860 | $61,310 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 1,340 | $30,960 | $36,390 | $43,690 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 1,300 | $39,010 | $47,270 | $55,900 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 1,240 | $39,200 | $49,840 | $59,130 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 1,160 | $41,660 | $50,000 | $61,700 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 1,160 | $54,900 | $61,330 | $69,540 |
| 314100 | Textile Furnishings Mills | 1,070 | $38,210 | $43,240 | $46,230 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 1,040 | $31,200 | $37,560 | $47,060 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 940 | $46,140 | $51,740 | $64,420 |
| 313300 | Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | 920 | $35,470 | $38,710 | $46,030 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 880 | $48,170 | $60,820 | $70,560 |
| 313100 | Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills | 830 | $34,640 | $37,420 | $40,560 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 540 | $34,430 | $44,840 | $48,760 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 510 | $32,210 | $37,860 | $46,060 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 450 | $39,730 | $48,770 | $59,700 |
| 316000 | Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 430 | $28,710 | $36,580 | $44,810 |
| 312200 | Tobacco Manufacturing | 410 | $43,410 | $55,770 | $76,160 |
| 315100 | Apparel Knitting Mills | 410 | $28,140 | $35,500 | $36,830 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 400 | $43,660 | $47,170 | $59,730 |
| 315900 | Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing | 380 | $33,400 | $36,280 | $36,820 |
| 316200 | Footwear Manufacturing | 210 | $28,370 | $30,870 | $42,360 |
| 334600 | Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | 180 | $40,230 | $47,790 | $47,930 |
| 316100 | Leather and Hide Tanning and Finishing | 120 | $39,160 | $45,450 | $54,850 |
| 316900 | Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 100 | $29,040 | $34,550 | $40,460 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Lead Quality Inspector, write the straight-time rate separately from shift coverage and extra hours. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $38,740 | $47,460 | $59,970 |
| May 2025 | $39,890 | $48,570 | $61,440 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
What should you know about supervisory and worker occupations?
BLS publishes these as separate occupations. Pay for one is not a pay step for the other.
- Supervisor occupation: Production Supervisor pay (SOC 51-1011)
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about the authority you are offering?
Settle working inspection leadership versus authority to change customer requirements before outreach begins. We put the difference around working inspection leadership versus authority to change customer requirements in front of you so the interview tests missing experience rather than assuming it is already there.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Lead Quality Inspector?
The median annual wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the United States was $48,570 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $39,890 and $61,440. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $35,510. 90% earned less than $77,860.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Lead Quality Inspector at a plant?
Lead Quality Inspector is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 597,370 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
What does this data mean for your opening?
Lead Quality Inspector positions are classified under Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers. Total national employment is 597370. The national median is $48570, a rise of 1110 from the May 2024 value of $47460. The middleBandWidth is 21550, spanning a P25 of $39890 and a P75 of $61440.
Manufacturing Headhunters notes that these figures lack the nuances of shift differentials or leadership-specific compensation. Since BLS does not isolate lead inspection duties, the provided median represents a broad cross-section of the workforce.
Industry medians at the national level are $74450 for Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing, $73310 for Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, and $64560 for Ship and Boat Building. These national sector benchmarks are distinct from the role-specific median. For regional context, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro has a median of $48230 and a location quotient of 1.33. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro reports a median of $51560 and a location quotient of 0.94. The location quotient indicates employment concentration, not regional pay levels.
The Lead Quality Inspector role requires an ability to apply drawing tolerances and measurement methods independently. Because the BLS aggregates all inspection roles, the median of $48570 may understate the value for leadership roles. The middleBandWidth of 21550 confirms that professional advancement is highly differentiated across the industry. Managers should look toward the P75 ($61440) and P90 ($77860) to account for candidates who possess the necessary leadership and technical authority. Basing an entire recruitment strategy on the broad median will likely fail to attract the required leadership experience.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Why is the Lead Quality Inspector role not listed separately in BLS data?
BLS utilizes standard occupation codes that aggregate varied inspection tasks. This is why specific leadership titles like Lead Quality Inspector are folded into the broader Inspector occupation.
What is the significance of the national Aerospace industry median in this context?
It provides a national reference for the Aerospace industry. This helps understand how high-complexity manufacturing sectors reward their broader inspection workforce.
How can I use the P90 of $77860 for my hiring plans?
This figure represents the qualified of compensation for the broad inspection occupation. It provides a useful benchmark for the premium required for highly skilled lead-level quality personnel.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4