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Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III in the United States is $67,353 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,471
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,523 to $74,743
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $52,394
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View as table View as graph 25% $59,523 10% $52,394 90% $81,471 75% $74,743 $67,353 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,743 $6,229 $1,437 $36
Average $67,353 $5,613 $1,295 $32
25th Percentile $59,523 $4,960 $1,145 $29
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Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Salaries

A Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Quality Control Inspector (0-1 years): $48,565
  • Intermediate Quality Control Inspector (1-3 years): $53,292
  • Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III (3-5 years): $67,338
  • QC Inspector IV (5-7 years): $75,379
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Quality Control Inspector0-1 years$48,565
Intermediate Quality Control Inspector1-3 years$53,292
Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III3-5 years$67,338
QC Inspector IV5-7 years$75,379
$48,565 Entry Qua...
$53,292 Intermedi...
$67,338 Manufactu...
$75,379 QC Inspec...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $84,953
  • San Francisco: $84,113
  • Oakland: $82,253

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.88% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.76% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Welding (Mentioned in 1.64% Job Postings): Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool causing fusion. Welding is distinct from lower temperature metal-joining techniques such as brazing and soldering, which do not melt the base metal. In addition to melting the base metal, a filler material is typically added to the joint to form a pool of molten material (the weld pool) that cools to form a joint that, based on weld configuration (butt, full penetration, fillet, etc.), can be stronger than the base material (parent metal). Pressure may also be used in conjunction with heat, or by itself, to produce a weld. Welding also requires a form of shield to protect the filler metals or melted metals from being contaminated or oxidized. Many different energy sources can be used for welding, including a gas flame (chemical), an electric arc (electrical), a laser, an electron beam, friction, and ultrasound. While often an industrial process, welding may be performed in many different environments, including in open air, under water, and in outer space. Welding is a hazardous undertaking and precautions are required to avoid burns, electric shock, vision damage, inhalation of poisonous gases and fumes, and exposure to intense ultraviolet radiation.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 3.88%
Calibration 2.76%
Welding 1.64%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III's salary.
  • Critical Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Supply Chain: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Critical Thinking
$71,394
6%
Quality Assurance
$70,047
4%
Supply Chain
$70,047
4%
Quality Management
$70,047
4%
Products and Services
$69,374
3%
Integrity
$69,374
3%
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Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on March 01, 2026

Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
QC Inspector IV $75,400 12%
Product Inspection Technician IV $75,400 12%

Salary Trends for Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III

Salaries for a Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,649 in 2023 to around $48,667 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,649
2024
$49,195
2025
$48,667
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,649
2024 $49,195
2025 $48,667
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III

Here are companies hiring for Manufacturing Quality Control Inspector III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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