Prevailing Wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
The prevailing wage for a QA Inspector under SOC 51-9061 is set by DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Inspector roles through senior QA Auditor positions. The floor varies significantly by city, reflecting regional labor market data, so where your worksite is listed on the LCA determines which wage applies.
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Level 1 covers entry-level QA Inspectors with limited experience, typically performing routine inspections under close supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures, require frequent guidance, and have not yet developed independent judgment on defect classification or deviation reporting.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for QA Inspectors. It applies to qualified workers who perform standard inspection, testing, and sorting tasks with moderate supervision, applying a working knowledge of measurement instruments and product specifications without requiring constant direction.
Level 3 applies to experienced QA Inspectors who handle complex inspection assignments, exercise independent judgment on deviations from specifications, and may informally guide junior staff. These workers typically have several years of occupation-specific experience and need minimal supervisory oversight.
Level 4 covers fully competent, senior QA Inspectors or Quality Auditors who set inspection standards, lead quality programs, and serve as the primary technical resource on testing protocols. This level reflects broad mastery and is often accompanied by supervisory or program-lead responsibilities.
Prevailing Wage for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Match your title to the right SOC code
Titles like QC Technician or Quality Auditor are common aliases for SOC 51-9061, but some employers file them under engineering or production technician codes. Verify the SOC on your LCA matches 51-9061 so the correct QA Inspector prevailing wage applies to your offer.
Check production-shift pay structure carefully
Many QA Inspector roles include shift differentials, attendance bonuses, or tool allowances that do not count toward DOL prevailing wage compliance. Your base cash wage alone must clear the floor; non-cash or conditional pay components are excluded from the DOL calculation.
Look at Gulf Coast and mid-Atlantic metros for higher floors
Lake Charles, LA and Lexington Park, MD post significantly higher prevailing wages for this occupation than the national median across all four levels. If you are weighing job offers in multiple regions, these metros can meaningfully shift your negotiating baseline compared to Puerto Rico locations.
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Migrate Mate lists jobs from employers with verified H-1B, E-3, and green card sponsorship history. You can filter by role and location to see which companies have actually sponsored QA Inspector and QC Technician positions in the past, narrowing your search to proven sponsors.
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Find Jobs for QA InspectorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9061.00 alongside Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Inspector Prevailing Wage
Inspector Prevailing Wage
Inspector positions fall under SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor) Prevailing Wage
QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector) Prevailing Wage
QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector) Prevailing Wage
QA Inspector (Quality Assurance Inspector) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician) Prevailing Wage
QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician) Prevailing Wage
QA Technician (Quality Assurance Technician) positions fall under SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
QC Technician (Quality Control Technician) Prevailing Wage
QC Technician (Quality Control Technician) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a QC Technician (Quality Control Technician) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Quality Auditor Prevailing Wage
Quality Auditor Prevailing Wage
Quality Auditor is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector) Prevailing Wage
Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector) Prevailing Wage
Quality Control Inspector (QC Inspector) positions fall under SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Quality Inspector Prevailing Wage
Quality Inspector Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Quality Inspector for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Quality Technician Prevailing Wage
Quality Technician Prevailing Wage
Quality Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Test Technician Prevailing Wage
Test Technician Prevailing Wage
Test Technician positions fall under SOC 51-9061.00 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for QA Inspector roles?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from regional employer surveys. For SOC 51-9061, OFLC calculates four wage levels based on the distribution of wages actually paid to QA Inspectors in each metro area. Employers must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and which one applies to me?
Level 1 is for entry-level workers under close supervision. Level 2, the most common filing level for this occupation, reflects qualified workers performing standard inspection tasks independently. Level 3 applies to experienced professionals handling complex assignments. Level 4 covers senior or lead QA Auditors who set standards and lead quality programs. Your level should match your actual job duties and experience, not just your title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same QA Inspector role vary so much by city?
OFLC derives wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the floor reflects what employers in each specific metro actually pay. A dense manufacturing or aerospace hub like Lexington Park, MD has a different labor market than a rural area or Puerto Rico. The worksite address on the LCA determines which metro wage applies, not the employer's headquarters location, so remote or multi-site assignments require careful worksite classification.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
OFLC will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage floor for the worksite and level. Without a certified LCA, the employer cannot file the H-1B or E-3 petition with USCIS. If a petition is filed with an inaccurate wage, it can be denied or trigger a USCIS audit. The employer must either bring the offer up to the floor or document a valid wage source supporting a higher rate.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up SOC 51-9061 for any metro area. Select the area that matches your worksite address, choose the wage level that corresponds to your experience and duties, and note the annual figure. If your employer has filed LCAs previously, those are disclosed in OFLC public data. O*NET also provides occupational context useful for confirming the correct SOC code before you search.
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