Salary guide, May 2025
Quality Inspector pay in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC was $49,460 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $44,150 and $59,610.
The Raleigh-Cary, NC median is $890 above the national median of $48,570, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
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.
What should you know about raleigh-Cary, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,470 | $44,150 | $49,460 | $59,610 | $75,560 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.54 | $21.23 | $23.78 | $28.66 | $36.33 |
BLS estimated 1,420 workers employed in this occupation in Raleigh-Cary, NC. Location quotient: 0.5.
What should you know about united States?
| 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 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Quality Inspector median is $49,460. The all-occupations median in Raleigh-Cary, NC is $51,990. Ratio: 0.95 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.5 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $38,780 | $47,490 | $59,380 |
| May 2025 | $44,150 | $49,460 | $59,610 |
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.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9061 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, Raleigh-Cary, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
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.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Goldsboro, NC | $37,080 | $36,700 to $45,560 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $49,660 | $41,780 to $60,710 |
What does this data mean for your opening?
In the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro, Manufacturing Headhunters notes that the Quality Inspector position, classified under SOC 51-9061, has a median annual wage of $49,460. For Quality Inspector in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $49,460; the May 2024 median is $47,490. Their arithmetic difference is $1,970.
They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. The regional middle band width is $15,460, representing the variance between the 25th percentile of $44,150 and the 75th percentile of $59,610. For Quality Inspector in Raleigh-Cary, NC, OEWS measures straight-time gross wages, not pure base salary or total compensation. Commissions and production bonuses are included; overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits are excluded.
Broader industrial data reveals significant wage variation for this occupation when viewed by sector. National medians for Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing reach $74,450, while Motor Vehicle Manufacturing medians are $73,310 and Ship and Boat Building medians reach $64,560. These figures all significantly exceed the general national occupational median of $48,570. Raleigh’s median wage of $49,460 is higher than the overall national occupational median, suggesting a competitive market for talent within this broader SOC category.
For Quality Inspector in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $49,460; the May 2024 median is $47,490. Their arithmetic difference is $1,970. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause. Goldsboro, NC reports a median of $37,080 with a band width of $8,860. Rocky Mount, NC displays a median of $49,660 with a band width of $18,930. Raleigh currently holds a location quotient of 0.50. These points derive from the May 2025 data release. Since the BLS aggregates all types of samplers, weighers, and testers into this one occupation, hiring managers must analyze their own specific job requirements. such as specialized GD&T application or optical component use. against this aggregate population to ensure accurate internal pay benchmarking.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
For Quality Inspector in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $49,460; the May 2024 median is $47,490. Their arithmetic difference is $1,970. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
Is the Raleigh median higher than the national occupational median?
Yes, the Raleigh median of $49,460 exceeds the national occupational median of $48,570. This indicates a relatively competitive local market for this occupational category.
What can I conclude from the two release estimates?
For Quality Inspector in Raleigh-Cary, NC, releases are separate survey estimates. The May 2025 median is $49,460; the May 2024 median is $47,490. Their arithmetic difference is $1,970. They are not the same workers' raises and do not establish a pay trend or its cause.
How do neighboring regions compare to the Raleigh median?
Goldsboro has a lower median of $37,080, while Rocky Mount reports a median of $49,660. The Raleigh median of $49,460 falls closer to the Rocky Mount figure.
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