by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Quality Control Technology explores Quality Control Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers And Other Professionals Engaged In Maintaining Consistent Manufacturing And Construction Standards. Includes Instruction In Quality Control Systems Management Principles, Technical Standards Applicable To Specific Engineering And Manufacturing Projects, Testing Procedures, Inspection Procedures, Related Instrumentation And Equipment Operation And Maintenance, And Report Preparation. Continue reading for the essential details 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 widely-pursued major, with 422 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Quality Control Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 44 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.
Coursework for 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.
The skill set emphasized by a quality control technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, 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 | 76 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 76 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 266 |
People currently working in careers related to quality control technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 69.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 26.9% |
| Some college courses | 2.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.7% |
See 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.*
A degree in quality control technology can lead to many career paths. Here 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 181,891 | 12.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $42,864 |
With 44 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.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician | 3,147 |
| Industrial Safety Technology/Technician | 258 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians, Other | 111 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
