Quality Control Analysts

19-4099.01 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.

Also known as: Chemistry Quality Control Analyst (Chemistry QC Analyst), Chemistry Quality Control Technician (Chemistry QC Technician), Data Quality Analyst, IT Quality Control Analyst (Information Technology Quality Control Analyst), Lab Analyst, Lab Technician (Lab Tech), Laboratory Analyst, Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), ...

Annual Salary

$60,130

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$46,270 25th – 75th percentile $77,990
10th percentile $37,310
90th percentile $101,870
U.S. Employment: 71,400

Job Outlook

+3.5%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 10,600 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Associate's degree

What You'd Do

  • Train other analysts to perform laboratory procedures and assays.
  • Perform visual inspections of finished products.
  • Serve as a technical liaison between quality control and other departments, vendors, or contractors.
  • Participate in internal assessments and audits as required.
  • Identify and troubleshoot equipment problems.
  • Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
  • Write technical reports or documentation, such as deviation reports, testing protocols, and trend analyses.
  • Write or revise standard quality control operating procedures.
  • Supply quality control data necessary for regulatory submissions.
  • Receive and inspect raw materials.

Top Skills

Quality Control Analysis 4.0
Reading Comprehension 3.8
Monitoring 3.8
Active Listening 3.4
Complex Problem Solving 3.4
Writing 3.3
Operations Monitoring 3.3
Critical Thinking 3.3

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Mathematics 4.2
Production and Processing 4.0
Chemistry 3.7
English Language 3.7
Administrative 3.3
Computers and Electronics 3.3
Mechanical 2.9
Food Production 2.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
37.8%
Bachelor's
27.9%
Associate's
10.2%
Certificate
9.6%
Some College
8.8%
< High School
5.7%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Acrobat Atlassian JIRA C Extensible markup language XML Hypertext markup language HTML JavaScript Microsoft Access Microsoft ASP.NET Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visio Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word SAP software Selenium Structured query language SQL The MathWorks MATLAB

Other Tools

Borland SilkTest Code profilers Database software dBASE Eko FileMaker Pro Hewlett Packard LoadRunner

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

3.0
Attention to Detail
2.7
Dependability
2.6
Cautiousness
2.2
Integrity
1.7
Achievement Orientation
1.6
Perseverance
1.6
Intellectual Curiosity

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Written Comprehension 4.0
Near Vision 4.0
Oral Comprehension 3.9
Written Expression 3.9
Oral Expression 3.8
Problem Sensitivity 3.6
Deductive Reasoning 3.6
Inductive Reasoning 3.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Documenting/Recording Information 4.4
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings 4.2
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 4.2
Analyzing Data or Information 4.1
Working with Computers 4.0
Getting Information 3.9
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 3.9
Processing Information 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection
4.9
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.9
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.7
E-Mail
4.6
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.5
Exposed to Contaminants
4.3
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
4.3
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
4.2
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
4.2
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
4.1
Freedom to Make Decisions
4.1
Contact With Others
4.0

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.