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Product Quality Inspector III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Product Quality Inspector III in the United States is $58,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,993
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,870 to $65,130
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,661
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View as table View as graph 25% $51,870 10% $45,661 90% $70,993 75% $65,130 $58,690 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Product Quality Inspector III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,130 $5,428 $1,253 $31
Average $58,690 $4,891 $1,129 $28
25th Percentile $51,870 $4,323 $998 $25
Check out Product Quality Inspector III Job Openings in the United States
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Confidential - Columbus, OH

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Confidential - Columbus, OH

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KreilKamp Trucking - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Product Quality Inspector III Salaries

A Product Quality 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 Product Quality Inspector Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Product Quality 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:

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

Top Paying Cities for Product Quality 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: $74,030
  • San Francisco: $73,220
  • Oakland: $71,680

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.08% 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.
  • Packaging (Mentioned in 2.78% Job Postings): Preparing products through wrapping or bottling to protect the goods from damages during transportation and storage.
  • Process Manufacturing (Mentioned in 2.12% Job Postings): Process manufacturing is a branch of manufacturing that is associated with formulas and manufacturing recipes, and can be contrasted with discrete manufacturing, which is concerned with discrete units, bills of materials and the assembly of components. Process manufacturing is common in the food, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, consumer packaged goods, cannabis, and biotechnology industries. In process manufacturing, the relevant factors are ingredients, not parts; formulas, not bills of materials; and bulk materials rather than individual units. Although there is invariably cross-over between the two branches of manufacturing, the major contents of the finished product and the majority of the resource intensity of the production process generally allow manufacturing systems to be classified as one or the other. For example, a bottle of juice is a discrete item, but juice is process manufactured. The plastic used in injection moulding is process manufactured, but the components it is shaped into are generally discrete, and subject to further assembly.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.08%
Packaging 2.78%
Process Manufacturing 2.12%
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 III's salary.
  • Time Management: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Quality Control: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Time Management
$67,494
15%
Commitment
$66,320
13%
Quality Control
$65,146
11%
Verbal Communication
$64,559
10%
Troubleshooting
$62,798
7%
Communication Skills
$61,625
5%
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Product Quality Inspector III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Product Quality Inspector III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,700. While startup companies pay approximate $55,581.

Product Quality Inspector III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$55,581
Growth Stage51~500$58,783
Established501~5000$63,445
Enterprise5000+$65,700

Product Quality Inspector III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Product Quality Inspector III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Product Quality Inspector positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Product Quality Inspector III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Product Quality Inspector III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$70,428$34.020%
Pharmaceuticals$69,254$33.018%
Insurance$67,494$32.015%
Healthcare$65,733$32.012%
Internet$65,146$31.011%

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

Understanding how a Product Quality 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 August 01, 2026

Product Quality Inspector III Salary Growth & Career Path

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

Product Quality Inspector III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
QC Inspector IV $75,500 29%
Product Inspection Technician IV $60,500 3%

Salary Trends for Product Quality Inspector III

Salaries for a Product Quality 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 Product Quality Inspector III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Product Quality 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
View More

Most common benefits for Product Quality Inspector III

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

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

Find Your Next Product Quality Inspector III Job

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

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff. About the Company. Innovative travel platform for booking & managing work trips. Industry. Computer Software. Type. Privately Held, VC-back... more

    21 Days Ago

  • McDonalds

    Columbus, OH

    McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Amazon Flex

    Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex | Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex Delivery Drivers use their own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages to customers on scheduled delivery blocks. Drivers are responsible for pickin... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Commercial. About the Company. Globally-recognized manufacturer of packaging components & delivery systems for injectable drugs. Industry. ... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about Product Quality Inspector III

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Product Quality Inspector III 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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