Quality Control & Safety Technology
What Quality Control & Safety Technology Graduates Do
Your work is the backbone of a safe and efficient operation. One day, you might be on a factory floor with calipers and gauges, meticulously checking that machined parts meet blueprint specifications. The next, you could be walking a construction site as a safety specialist, using an air quality monitor to test for hazards and ensuring the crew follows proper protocols. You’ll be the person who documents findings, calibrates equipment, and communicates directly with engineers and production managers to solve problems.
You'll likely begin your career as a technician or inspector, building foundational, hands-on skills. With experience and certifications, you can advance into high-demand, fast-growing positions like an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, where you design and lead entire safety programs. This career path allows your earnings to climb substantially from a solid starting salary to a specialist’s income. While AI tools may help analyze safety data, they can't replace you on the ground. The critical work of inspecting equipment, assessing real-world risks, and training people requires your physical presence and expert judgment.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 31 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Quality Control & Safety Technology. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Airplane Inspector
RAPIDS 4 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Automobile Repair-Service Estimator
RAPIDS 638 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Automobile Tester
RAPIDS 881 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Cable Tester (Tel & Tel)
RAPIDS 59 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Calibrator (Military)
RAPIDS 1031 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Coatings Inspector
RAPIDS 2051HY |
3032-3632 hrs | Hybrid | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Electric Meter Tester
RAPIDS 792 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Electric-Distribution Checker
RAPIDS 905 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Electronics Tester
RAPIDS 570 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Experimental Assembler
RAPIDS 183 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Experimental Test Mechanic
RAPIDS **0881R |
7328 hrs
~3.7 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Grader (Woodworking)
RAPIDS 984 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Hydrometer Calibrator
RAPIDS 239 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Industrial Engineering Technician
RAPIDS 259 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $53K – $64,790 – $79K | 1.7% |
|
Industrial Engineering Technician
RAPIDS 0259CB |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $53K – $64,790 – $79K | 1.7% |
|
Inspector, Electromechanic
RAPIDS 968 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Inspector, Metal Fabricate
RAPIDS 697 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Inspector, Outside Product
RAPIDS 380 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Inspector, Precision
RAPIDS 424 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Inspector, Set-Up & Lay-Out (Alternate Title: Senior Noncommissioned Logistician)
RAPIDS 636 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Operational Test Mechanic
RAPIDS 959 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Quality Control Inspector (Alternate Title: Inspector Senior)
RAPIDS 936 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Quality Control Technician
RAPIDS 462 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $53K – $64,790 – $79K | 1.7% |
|
Radiographer
RAPIDS 468 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Relay Tester
RAPIDS 687 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Rubber Tester
RAPIDS 429 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Testing & Regulating Technician
RAPIDS 572 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Thermometer Tester
RAPIDS 489 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Tool & Die Making (Inspec, Set Up & Lay-Out)
RAPIDS **0636R |
7328 hrs
~3.7 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
Trouble Locator Test Desk
RAPIDS 805 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
|
X-Ray Equipment Tester
RAPIDS 919 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $39K – $47,460 – $60K | 0.0% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Best Schools for Quality Control & Safety Technology
11 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.
| # | School | Score | EarningsEarn | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashland Community and Technical College Ashland, KY |
73 68–74 |
$58,388/yr | 124.4x |
| 2 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE |
73 65–74 |
$57,207/yr | 140.1x |
| 3 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL |
70 65–72 |
$74,871/yr | 71.5x |
| 4 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI |
68 62–69 |
$67,753/yr | 63.1x |
| 5 | Ogden-Weber Technical College Ogden, UT |
58 53–59 |
$55,875/yr | — |
| 6 | Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX |
55 52–56 |
$34,991/yr | 49.9x |
| 7 | Waldorf University Forest City, IA |
54 50–56 |
$65,381/yr | 12.0x |
| 8 | Ocean Corporation Houston, TX |
51 46–53 |
$38,240/yr | — |
| 9 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa, OK |
49 45–51 |
$39,200/yr | 20.2x |
| 10 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX |
46 42–48 |
$33,249/yr | 23.3x |
| 11 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology Tulsa, OK |
45 40–46 |
$37,921/yr | 9.1x |
Highest Earning Quality Control & Safety Technology Programs
Schools where Quality Control & Safety Technology graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Southern University | $74,871/yr | 70 |
| Ferris State University | $67,753/yr | 68 |
| Waldorf University | $65,381/yr | 54 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | $58,388/yr | 73 |
| Southeast Community College Area | $57,207/yr | 73 |
| Ogden-Weber Technical College | $55,875/yr | 58 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | $39,200/yr | 49 |
| Ocean Corporation | $38,240/yr | 51 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | $37,921/yr | 45 |
| Del Mar College | $34,991/yr | 55 |
Best ROI for Quality Control & Safety Technology
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Quality Control & Safety Technology.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Community College Area | 140.1x | $57,207/yr | 73 |
| Ashland Community and Technical College | 124.4x | $58,388/yr | 73 |
| Columbia Southern University | 71.5x | $74,871/yr | 70 |
| Ferris State University | 63.1x | $67,753/yr | 68 |
| Del Mar College | 49.9x | $34,991/yr | 55 |
| Texas State Technical College | 23.3x | $33,249/yr | 46 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 20.2x | $39,200/yr | 49 |
| Waldorf University | 12.0x | $65,381/yr | 54 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 9.1x | $37,921/yr | 45 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Quality Control & Safety Technology degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.