What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers in the U.S. earn more than $48,570 a year — the middle 80% land between $35,510 and $77,860. About 597,370 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$48,570typical pay / year
597,370people in this work
$77,860+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Analysing4
Analyze test data and determine results
+Analyze the batch test logs and spectrophotometer readings for Lot 42B, flag samples that fail the…
Analyze test data and determine results
+Analyze the batch test logs and spectrophotometer readings for Lot 42B, flag samples that fail the colour-curing range or moisture spec, calculate pass/fail counts with confidence, and write a one-paragraph conclusion for the production manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Sample materials or products for testing
+Select representative samples from the incoming roll stock A12 and carton run C7 using the standard…
Sample materials or products for testing
+Select representative samples from the incoming roll stock A12 and carton run C7 using the standard stratified plan, record sample IDs and lot positions, photograph the sample faces for colour reference, and log the chain-of-custody for lab transfer.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Test materials or products for defects or deviations
+Run the defect inspections on ten random garments from Production Line 3, record seam, stitch and colour…
Test materials or products for defects or deviations
+Run the defect inspections on ten random garments from Production Line 3, record seam, stitch and colour deviations against the tolerance checklist, score each defect severity, and produce a defect-rate summary for the quality meeting.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Use precision measuring instruments
+Measure the incoming batch of jackets with calibrated gauges, record shoulder, chest, sleeve, and hem…
Use precision measuring instruments
+Measure the incoming batch of jackets with calibrated gauges, record shoulder, chest, sleeve, and hem tolerances against spec, photograph any deviations over tolerance with scale, and file the inspection report to quality with acceptance or rework recommendations by end of day.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Fixing1
Fabricate or install parts as needed
+Fabricate missing waistband stays and install replacement snaps on twenty samples so the wear test can start…
Fabricate or install parts as needed
+Fabricate missing waistband stays and install replacement snaps on twenty samples so the wear test can start Monday; log each repair with part used, time spent, and person responsible, then return repaired samples to the lab and update the sample tracker.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
+Mark each inspected garment on the scanner sheet with Grade A, B, or Reject based on stitch integrity and…
Mark items with details, such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
+Mark each inspected garment on the scanner sheet with Grade A, B, or Reject based on stitch integrity and colour consistency, stamp the physical tag, and update the batch log so production knows which cartons to segregate.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
+Send an urgent note to Line Supervisor Maria and Plant Manager Jorge describing the production run numbers,…
Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
+Send an urgent note to Line Supervisor Maria and Plant Manager Jorge describing the production run numbers, percentage of rejects, suspected cause of colour runs, and request a line stop or containment within the hour.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Position products, components, or parts for testing.
+Arrange the sample pieces on the test bench by style and size, align seams and colour panels under the light…
Position products, components, or parts for testing.
+Arrange the sample pieces on the test bench by style and size, align seams and colour panels under the light box, and tag each position with the test ID so lab technicians can run tensile and colourfastness in order.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft VisioO*NET
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Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
+Trim loose threads, remove snags and surface burrs from the inspected collars and cuffs, record each repair…
Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
+Trim loose threads, remove snags and surface burrs from the inspected collars and cuffs, record each repair on the watchlist, and set rejected items aside with a defect note for rework or scrap decision.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft SharePointO*NET
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Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.
+Stack tested cartons by PO number and destination, separate accepted from quarantined batches, label each…
Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.
+Stack tested cartons by PO number and destination, separate accepted from quarantined batches, label each stack with date, inspector name and OK or HOLD, and notify packing to pull only OK stacks for shipment.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Check arriving materials to ensure that they match purchase orders, submitting discrepancy reports as necessary.
+Compare incoming fabric roll counts and colour codes against Purchase Order 4127, note any shade variances or…
Check arriving materials to ensure that they match purchase orders, submitting discrepancy reports as necessary.
+Compare incoming fabric roll counts and colour codes against Purchase Order 4127, note any shade variances or missing rolls on the discrepancy form, photograph the issues, and submit the report to Purchasing and Quality within the shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft AccessO*NET
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Administer tests to assess whether engineers or operators are qualified to use equipment.
+Give the trainee operators the qualification test on the mixing press, observe them run three start-to-stop…
Administer tests to assess whether engineers or operators are qualified to use equipment.
+Give the trainee operators the qualification test on the mixing press, observe them run three start-to-stop cycles, score pass/fail on setup, safety and output tolerances, and file completed signed assessments with HR by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Compute usable amounts of items in shipments.
+Take the incoming carton manifest, count intact garments and damaged units, subtract confirmed rejects, then…
Compute usable amounts of items in shipments.
+Take the incoming carton manifest, count intact garments and damaged units, subtract confirmed rejects, then produce a usable-quantity summary by style and size and email the warehouse lead the consolidated total by 10:00 AM.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Compute defect percentages or averages, using formulas and calculators.
+Run the daily defect worksheet: enter sample counts, defect categories and unit totals, compute defect…
Compute defect percentages or averages, using formulas and calculators.
+Run the daily defect worksheet: enter sample counts, defect categories and unit totals, compute defect percentages and three-day averages, highlight any line above 2.5% and circulate the report to production and quality by 3 PM.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Inspect nonagricultural raw materials or processed parts
+Inspect the roll of trim and the batch of woven labels against spec: check dimensions, stitch density and…
Inspect nonagricultural raw materials or processed parts
+Inspect the roll of trim and the batch of woven labels against spec: check dimensions, stitch density and colour match, photograph any nonconforming pieces, record findings in the inspection log and tag rejected lots for quarantine.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft SharePointjob descriptions
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Sort materials or products based on quality standards
+Sort the finished shirts from the last run into A, B and C grades by stitch quality, colour consistency and…
Sort materials or products based on quality standards
+Sort the finished shirts from the last run into A, B and C grades by stitch quality, colour consistency and finish; pack A grade for shipment, hold B for rework and note C for scrap and update the production board.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Visiojob descriptions
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Provide safety information to team members
+Prepare and post a one-page safety brief on machine guarding and chemical handling for the sewing floor,…
Provide safety information to team members
+Prepare and post a one-page safety brief on machine guarding and chemical handling for the sewing floor, include three immediate actions, the incident contact and the next toolbox meeting date, and send it to supervisors today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointjob descriptions
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Analyse colour and condition of tobacco leaves
+Inspect the latest curing batch on the sorting table, record leaf colour against the standard chart, note any…
Analyse colour and condition of tobacco leaves
+Inspect the latest curing batch on the sorting table, record leaf colour against the standard chart, note any uneven curing or spotting, estimate overall grade and percent acceptable, then save the findings to the quality log before lunch.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Select leaves without visible defects
+Walk the packing line and remove any leaves showing holes, rot, heavy stains or stem tears, set aside…
Select leaves without visible defects
+Walk the packing line and remove any leaves showing holes, rot, heavy stains or stem tears, set aside acceptable-looking leaves on the clean tray, count selected leaves to reach the batch target, and update the pick tally in the daily log.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Take into account colour variations, tears, tar spots, tight grain, and sizes
+Examine each crate and rate leaves for colour shifts, tears, tar spots, tight grain and size, assign a…
Take into account colour variations, tears, tar spots, tight grain, and sizes
+Examine each crate and rate leaves for colour shifts, tears, tar spots, tight grain and size, assign a composite defect flag and suggested use (wrapper, filler, discard), then summarise defect types and quantities in the shift report.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Fold wrapper leaves into bundles for stripping
+Fold each wrapper leaf neatly into uniform bundles of ten, align veins and edges so stripping lines are…
Fold wrapper leaves into bundles for stripping
+Fold each wrapper leaf neatly into uniform bundles of ten, align veins and edges so stripping lines are clear, label bundles with lot number and weight, place them in the stripping tray, and record bundle counts in the shift sheet.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCO
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses