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Occupation · SOC 51-9061

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

There are 597,370 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $48,570 a year. The most jobs are in Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
597,370
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$48,570
Median pay a year
Middle half: $39,890–$61,440
66,700
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.5%
5
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 80% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 388 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $48,230 · LCA filings 023,080$48,2300
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $51,560 · LCA filings 022,610$51,5600
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $46,630 · LCA filings 016,520$46,6300
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $46,210 · LCA filings 416,440$46,2104
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $50,160 · LCA filings 016,370$50,1600
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $45,400 · LCA filings 010,610$45,4000
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $46,870 · LCA filings 09,260$46,8700
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $51,990 · LCA filings 08,520$51,9900
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $76,800 · LCA filings 08,190$76,8000
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $52,000 · LCA filings 08,080$52,0000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Lexington Park, MDEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$92,0001000
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 8,190 · LCA filings 0$76,8008,1900
Savannah, GAEmployment 1,110 · LCA filings 0$72,8001,1100
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard, WAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$71,9502000
Anchorage, AKEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$71,470800

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 16,4404116,440
St. Louis, MO–ILEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 5,540115,540

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $45,739 · Level III $52,770 · Level IV $59,821$38,688$45,739$52,770$59,821
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $49,358 · Level III $57,699 · Level IV $66,061$40,997$49,358$57,699$66,061
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $42,702 · Level III $51,251 · Level IV $59,800$34,154$42,702$51,251$59,800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $43,368 · Level III $51,709 · Level IV $60,050$35,027$43,368$51,709$60,050
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $46,696 · Level III $54,704 · Level IV $62,691$38,709$46,696$54,704$62,691
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $41,891 · Level III $48,526 · Level IV $55,141$35,277$41,891$48,526$55,141
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $42,994 · Level III $49,962 · Level IV $56,909$36,046$42,994$49,962$56,909
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $48,298 · Level III $56,638 · Level IV $65,000$39,936$48,298$56,638$65,000
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $65,686 · Level III $81,910 · Level IV $98,134$49,462$65,686$81,910$98,134
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $50,086 · Level III $57,595 · Level IV $65,125$42,557$50,086$57,595$65,125
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $47,549 · Level III $56,160 · Level IV $64,792$38,917$47,549$56,160$64,792

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.07Varies by program70Varies by program

See Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in every metro area

All 388 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All OtherMachinists

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology