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Product Quality Inspector I Salary in the United States

How much does a Product Quality Inspector I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Product Quality Inspector I in the United States is $44,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,805
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,090 to $48,890
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,903
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View as table View as graph 25% $41,090 10% $37,903 90% $52,805 75% $48,890 $44,590 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Product Quality Inspector I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $48,890 $4,074 $940 $24
Average $44,590 $3,716 $858 $21
25th Percentile $41,090 $3,424 $790 $20
Check out Product Quality Inspector I Job Openings in the United States
Quality Inspector

Express Employment Professionals Defunct - Columbus, OH

Quality Inspector

Western Partitions, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Quality Control Inspector

Mid-State Sales - Columbus, OH

Data Center Quality Inspector

Fulcrum Careers - Columbus, OH

Search More Product Quality Inspector I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Product Quality Inspector I Salaries

A Product Quality Inspector I'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 Product Quality Inspector Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Product Quality Inspector I'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:

  • Product Quality Inspector I (0-1 years): $44,543
  • Product Inspection Technician II (1-3 years): $49,788
  • Product Inspection Technician III (3-5 years): $58,689
  • Product Inspection Technician IV (5-7 years): $60,424
  • Product Quality Control Supervisor (7+ years): $75,122
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Product Quality Inspector I0-1 years$44,543
Product Inspection Technician II1-3 years$49,788
Product Inspection Technician III3-5 years$58,689
Product Inspection Technician IV5-7 years$60,424
Product Quality Control Supervisor7+ years$75,122
$44,543 Product Q...
$49,788 Product I...
$58,689 Product I...
$60,424 Product I...
$75,122 Product Q...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Product Quality Inspector Is

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: $56,190
  • San Francisco: $55,590
  • Oakland: $54,390

What Skills Can Increase a Product Quality Inspector I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 4.27% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Container (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Container is an object used for or capable of holding, esp for transport or storage, such as a carton, box, etc.
  • CornerStone (Mentioned in 2% Job Postings): A relational database for MS-DOS released by Infocom, a company best known in the 1980s for developing interactive fiction video games. It is generally considered a key factor in Infocom's demise.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 4.27%
Container 2.84%
CornerStone 2%
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 Product Quality Inspector I's salary.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 39%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interviewing
$61,980
39%
Leadership
$49,941
12%
Continuous Improvement
$48,603
9%
ISO
$48,603
9%
Commitment
$48,603
9%
Hard Working
$48,157
8%
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Product Quality Inspector I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Product Quality Inspector I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $49,916. While startup companies pay approximate $42,228.

Product Quality Inspector I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$42,228
Growth Stage51~500$44,661
Established501~5000$48,203
Enterprise5000+$49,916

Product Quality Inspector I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Product Quality Inspector I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Product Quality Inspector positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Product Quality Inspector I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Product Quality Inspector I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$53,508$26.020%
Energy & Utilities$51,278$25.015%
Financial Services$51,278$25.015%
Telecom$49,941$24.012%
Chemicals$49,049$24.010%

Product Quality Inspector I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Product Quality Inspector I'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 August 01, 2026

Product Quality Inspector I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Product Quality Inspector I, 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.

Product Quality Inspector I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Intermediate Quality Control Inspector $53,400 20%
Product Inspection Technician II $49,800 12%

Salary Trends for Product Quality Inspector I

Salaries for a Product Quality Inspector I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,593 in 2023 to around $38,348 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Product Quality Inspector I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Product Quality Inspector I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,593
2024
$38,500
2025
$38,348
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,593
2024 $38,500
2025 $38,348
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Product Quality Inspector I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Product Quality Inspector I

Here are companies hiring for Product Quality Inspector I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Product Quality Inspector I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Product Quality Inspector I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Vista Packaging & Logistics

    Columbus, OH

    Vista Packaging & Logistics | Columbus, OH

    DescriptionPOSITION SUMMARYResponsible for conducting tests to determine the quality of materials and finished products as well as identifying areas of imp... more

    6 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    3 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    15 Days Ago

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FAQ about Product Quality Inspector I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Product Quality Inspector I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Product Quality Inspector I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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