Quality Control Analysts
Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.
Also called: Chemistry Quality Control Analyst (Chemistry QC Analyst), Chemistry Quality Control Technician (Chemistry QC Technician), Data Quality Analyst, IT Quality Control Analyst (Information Technology Quality Control Analyst), Lab Analyst, Lab Technician (Lab Tech)
Median pay
$62,280
Pay for the broader BLS group “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,000 – $102,690
People employed
73,910
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CIR
Conventional · Investigative · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
The hard parts
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Quality Control Analysts pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other”.
What quality control analysts do
- 01Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
- 02Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
- 03Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
- 04Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
- 05Perform visual inspections of finished products.
- 06Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from quality control analysts
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers80% · —
- Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians78% · —
- Chemists77% · —
- Quality Control Systems Managers75% · group pay
- Validation Engineers75% · group pay
Change into quality control analysts
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Quality Control Systems Managers77% · $126,060
- Agricultural Inspectors70% · $49,940
- Aviation Inspectors69% · $92,100
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping67% · $46,380
- Computer User Support Specialists66% · $61,860
Majors that lead here
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, General
- Materials Science
- Materials Chemistry
- Science Technologies/Technicians, General
- Chemical Process Technology
- Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Criminal Justice and Corrections, General
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science
- Forensic Science and Technology
- Criminology
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.