Job Description
Quality Technicians test and report on the quality of products. They’re involved in the entire course of manufacturing. Quality Technicians work in a wide variety of industries, including transportation, textiles, software, and manufacturing. It’s up to the Quality Technician to interpret the quality standards, engineering diagrams, and specifications for the products, then execute tests according to those instructions. If there’s an issue, the Quality Technician compiles that data and reports it to engineers and other stakeholders.
In some cases, Quality Technicians also offer ideas for how to improve products after conducting quality testing. For this reason, Quality Technicians need high-level interpersonal communication skills. A high level of attention to detail and organization skills are also a crucial part of this role to compile data and track testing specifications.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Inspect components before assembly
- Test trial products during development
- Test finished goods
- Record testing data and analyze results to determine whether products meet quality standards
- Use testing data to recommend improvements to the production process
Education and Background
This position requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some employers hiring Quality Technicians for more complex tasks may require an associate degree in quality technology or a related discipline.
Skills and Competencies
- Analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Teamwork and interpersonal communication skills
- Keen attention to detail
- Experience using mathematical concepts such as geometry, trigonometry, ratios, fractions, and proportions
- Ability to define problems verbally and in writing
- Experience analyzing data and drawing valid conclusions from that data
Compensation
According to Payscale the median annual salary of a Quality Technician with
1 Year of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $32,000
- Tampa, Florida: $34,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $34,000
- Miami, Florida: $34,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $35,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $35,000
- Houston, Texas: $41,000
- Los Angeles, California: $49,000
- New York City, New York: $46,000
- Seattle, Washington: $40,000
- Overall: $40,000
5 Years of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $43,000
- Tampa, Florida: $41,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $40,000
- Miami, Florida: $40,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $44,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $42,000
- Houston, Texas: $44,000
- Los Angeles, California: $57,000
- New York City, New York: $53,000
- Seattle, Washington: $50,000
- Overall: $45,000
Similar Job Titles
- QA Analyst
- Quality Inspector
- Quality Assurance Coordinator
- Quality Specialist
- Quality Coordinator
- Quality Control Manager
Career Path
This position requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some employers hiring Quality Technicians for more complex tasks may require an associate degree in quality technology or a related discipline. Certification from the American Society for Quality (ASQ) can also be attractive to potential employers or for career advancement. Successful Quality Technicians can advance to team leader positions, and from there, into quality assurance management roles.
Position Trends
According to the professional services firm Accenture, several current trends will bring change to the field of quality assurance. The first is the use of big data and applied analytics. With companies finding ways to obtain new types of data about their processes, Quality Technicians have more tools at their disposal to collect test data.
Another trend in quality assurance is the use of machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI). These new processes will help optimize the tests Quality Technicians use. They’ll provide extra speed and accuracy, leading to even more sophisticated quality monitoring systems.
Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Quality Control Inspector field should decline by 18 percent between 2018 and 2028. One reason for this is the increase in automation of product inspection tasks.
Typical Hours
The typical work hours for a Quality Technician are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, some Quality Technicians may work non-traditional hours, depending on the needs of their company.
Where You Can Find Jobs
- 4 Corner Resources
- Career Builder
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Monster
- Zip Recruiter
- Engineering.com
- Engineering Jobs
Are You Interested in Becoming a Quality Technician?
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