Quality Control Analysts
Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.
Quality Control Analysts conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests. The role reports a median annual salary of $60,130 in the US and is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Associate's degree, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.58 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,210 a year for Laboratory technicians (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,975 to £34,028 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 3111). ONS rates this estimate precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Technicians and associate professionals” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Quality Control Analysts, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 3. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
No single fixed route is listed for this career. These Indian degrees lead to it, according to the US CIP–SOC education-to-occupation crosswalk; open a degree for its entrance exams and colleges.[1]
- Criminology — BA / B.Sc (Hons) Criminology (three or four years)
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- CIP 2020 – SOC 2018 crosswalk (NCES / BLS) (read on 2026-09-27)
1 open listing on our jobs board → Recent listings whose job title matches this career. Some jobs in this career are advertised under other titles.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Chemistry
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Mechanical
- Food Production
What you'd actually do
- Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
- Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
- Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
- Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
- Perform visual inspections of finished products.
- Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Quality Control Analysts do?
Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.
How much does Quality Control Analysts earn?
The median annual salary for Quality Control Analysts in the US is $60,130.
What is the job outlook for Quality Control Analysts?
The role is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 83,200 workers.
How do I become quality control analysts?
The typical entry education is a Associate's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Quality Control Analysts need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Quality Control Analysts?
Our AI-durability model gives Quality Control Analysts a score of 0.58 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Quality Control Analysts has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.