by our College Data Analytics TeamWithin every project there are rules and regulations that must be followed. Quality Control Technology is the study of implementing safety and quality control over construction crews and manufacturing teams in order to meet regulated standards. Students who study this major will be taught the skills to maintain consistent manufacturing and construction standards, enforce and implement industry safety principles, and impose health and safety standards. You will assist the engineer to ensure the safety and productivity of projects in many different industries.
Some of your course work will include emphasis on fundamentals of engineering, as well as human behavior, environmental science, management, quality auditing, and statistics for quality assurance. This major can be accomplished as either an Associate's or Bachelor's degree.
The concentrations within the major include Occupational Safety and Health Technology, Quality Control Technology, Industrial Safety Technology, and Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology.
A major in Quality Control Technology covers Quality Control And Safety Technologies/technicians. Read on to learn the important information every quality control technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering quality control technology programs.
Across the country, quality control technology is a popular field of study, with 3,938 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Quality Control Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 117 schools to determine the best overall colleges for quality control technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of quality control technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Quality Control Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations quality control technology graduates commonly enter.
Mathematical and scientific skills are necessary for this major. It is encouraged that students take prior classes in physics and statistics before entering into the major. If you are someone who has an eye for detail and is a quick thinker, this is an ideal field of study. To be successful in this field, you must be able to identify flaws and make fast decisions to rectify them. Problem solving and creativity are critical within this field. Additional experience is encouraged, therefore internships would be beneficial.
The skill set emphasized by a quality control technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a quality control technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several quality control technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 99 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 794 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,565 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,354 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
People currently working in careers related to quality control technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.4% |
| Some college courses | 16.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.9% |
| Master’s degree | 3.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in quality control technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Students who pursue an education in Quality Control Technology are able to gain employment as Quality Control Technicians, Quality Engineers, Plant Managers or Project Engineers. These careers focus on the quality and safety of ongoing manufacturing and projects. They are critical to ensure productivity and profitability in a firm. The demand for individuals interested in pursuing a career in this field is high. The best opportunities go to those graduates who have advanced skill and who are working in the product manufacturing and employment service industries.
Studying quality control technology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to quality control technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to quality control technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 181,891 | 12.1% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 135,241 | -1.0% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 72,502 | 2.7% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | 54,625 | 9.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of quality control technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,389 |
| 4 years | $70,808 |
| 5 years | $79,621 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for quality control technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers quality control technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,085 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $48,647 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $42,864 |
With 117 different quality control technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased quality control technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in quality control technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
