Occupation · SOC 19-4099.01
Quality Control Analysts
Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.
Median wage
$60,130
$37,310–$101,870
Projected growth
+3.6%
Average growth
Annual openings
290
per year
Employed (US)
71,400
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
319 mapped
Core skills
Quality Control AnalysisReading ComprehensionMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningWritingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive LearningTroubleshootingTime ManagementSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingService OrientationScienceOperation and ControlLearning StrategiesCoordinationInstructingNegotiationPersuasionEquipment MaintenanceOperations AnalysisRepairingManagement of Personnel ResourcesEquipment SelectionProgrammingManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallation
Knowledge areas
MathematicsProduction and ProcessingChemistryEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsMechanicalFood ProductionEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsPhysicsBiologyEngineering and TechnologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesTransportationDesignBuilding and ConstructionPsychologyEconomics and AccountingGeographyTherapy and CounselingSales and MarketingHistory and ArcheologyMedicine and DentistryPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageSociology and AnthropologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAtlassian JIRABorland SilkTestCCode profilersDatabase softwareEkoExtensible markup language XMLFileMaker ProHewlett Packard LoadRunnerHewlett Packard QuickTest ProfessionalHypertext markup language HTMLIBM NotesIBM Rational Functional TesterIBM Rational RobotJavaScriptLabWare LIMSLaboratory information management system LIMSMicro Focus TestPartnerMicrosoft ASP.NETMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Internet Information Services (IIS)Microsoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visual BasicMicrosoft Visual Studio Test ProfessionalMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMinitabNational Instruments LabVIEWParasoft SOAtestRelational database management softwareSAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkTraining and Teaching OthersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleControlling Machines and ProcessesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesThinking CreativelyCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsAssisting and Caring for OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Routine in-process material samples — collect and prepare under direct supervision following established laboratory protocols.Standard test procedures — execute step-by-step for raw material analysis with guidance from a senior analyst.Laboratory equipment logbooks and data capture forms — complete accurately under supervision to support testing documentation requirements.Basic laboratory safety rules and cleanliness standards — follow consistently to maintain a compliant lab environment.Finished product visual inspections — perform using defined acceptance criteria checklists with supervisor oversight.Test results and specification sheets — read and compare to identify obvious out-of-range values under direction.Common laboratory instruments — identify correct usage and handle safely after introductory on-the-job training.Laboratory inventory forms — update and reconcile during routine stock checks under technician guidance.Electronic mail and desktop communications software — use to submit completed data sheets and receive daily task assignments.Measurement and unit conversion calculations — perform using basic mathematics to support sample preparation in a quality lab setting.
developing
In-process and finished goods samples — conduct routine and non-routine analyses independently following validated standard operating procedures.Test result data — interpret against established specifications and control limits and recommend release or hold decisions with minimal oversight.Laboratory instruments and analytical equipment — calibrate and perform scheduled maintenance according to validation protocols in a regulated lab environment.Compiled test data sets — organize and perform appropriate statistical analyses using laboratory data management or analytical software.Equipment malfunctions and performance deviations — identify and troubleshoot common problems, escalating complex issues to senior staff.Environmental and stability samples — prepare and analyze on defined schedules, adapting sampling plans to routine production variations.Quality control documentation packages — assemble completely and accurately to meet internal audit and regulatory submission requirements.Finished product visual inspection findings — record, summarize, and communicate in written reports using clear, precise technical language.Database query and reporting tools — use to retrieve historical test data and support trend monitoring activities.Laboratory safety and housekeeping audits — participate in and apply corrective actions to sustain ongoing compliance in a production facility.
proficient
Non-routine and complex sample analyses — design and execute across raw materials, in-process, and finished goods without supervisory direction in a GMP-regulated environment.Out-of-specification and atypical test results — investigate root causes, apply critical thinking and deductive reasoning, and author formal deviation reports.Laboratory equipment qualification and validation protocols — develop and execute to ensure instruments meet regulatory and quality system requirements.Full testing data packages — compile, critically evaluate, and authorize for product release or rejection based on holistic assessment of results.Recurring equipment and method problems — troubleshoot systematically using scientific problem-solving skills and recommend permanent corrective actions.Quality metrics and trend data — analyze across multiple product lines or time periods to identify systemic issues and present findings to stakeholders.Cross-functional teams — collaborate with production, regulatory affairs, and R&D to resolve quality issues using strong oral and written communication skills.Document management and content workflow software — administer for the laboratory section, ensuring version-controlled SOPs are current and accessible.New analysts and technicians — mentor in testing techniques, documentation standards, and laboratory safety practices during on-the-job training.Risk-based inspection and sampling plans — design for finished goods or stability programs by applying inductive reasoning and systems analysis to quality data.
advanced
Laboratory quality systems and control frameworks — design and implement organization-wide to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory standards and industry best practices.Quality control analyst teams — lead, coach, and evaluate, setting performance expectations and fostering a culture of accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement.Strategic testing and validation roadmaps — develop for new products or methods, aligning laboratory capabilities with long-term business and regulatory goals.Cross-departmental quality improvement initiatives — direct by applying systems analysis to identify process gaps and drive measurable reductions in nonconformance rates.Regulatory inspections and third-party audits — represent the quality control function, presenting data, defending methodologies, and negotiating corrective action commitments.Enterprise application integration and analytical software platforms — oversee selection, implementation, and governance to modernize laboratory data management infrastructure.Quality risk assessments for product launches or process changes — lead multidisciplinary teams through structured evaluations using advanced judgment and decision-making frameworks.Laboratory budget and resource allocation — manage strategically, prioritizing capital equipment investments and staffing to sustain testing capacity and compliance.Industry-wide quality standards and emerging regulatory guidance — monitor actively and translate into updated internal policies, procedures, and training curricula.Organizational quality culture — champion through visible leadership, communicating quality performance metrics and accountability expectations across all levels of the enterprise.
Also known as
41 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Chemistry Quality Control Analyst (Chemistry QC Analyst)Chemistry Quality Control Technician (Chemistry QC Technician)Data Quality AnalystIT Quality Control Analyst (Information Technology Quality Control Analyst)Lab AnalystLab Technician (Lab Tech)Laboratory AnalystLaboratory Technician (Lab Tech)Microbiology Lab AnalystMicrobiology Quality Control Technician (Microbiology QC Tech)Performance Quality AuditorQA Analyst (Quality Assurance Analyst)QA Associate (Quality Assurance Associate)QA Auditor (Quality Assurance Auditor)QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Lab Technician)QA Lab Tech (Quality Assurance Laboratory Technician)QA Specialist (Quality Assurance Specialist)QA Tech (Quality Assurance Technician)QA Testing Analyst (Quality Assurance Testing Analyst)QC Clerk (Quality Control Clerk)QC Lab Analyst (Quality Control Laboratory Analyst)QC Microbiology Analyst (Quality Control Microbiology Analyst)Quality AnalystQuality Assurance Coordinator (QA Coordinator)Quality AuditorQuality Control Analyst (QC Analyst)Quality Control Associate (QC Associate)Quality Control Auditor (QC Auditor)Quality Control Checker (QC Checker)Quality Control Expert (QC Expert)Quality Control Lab Technician (QC Lab Tech)Quality Control Specialist (QC Specialist)Quality Control Technician (QC Tech)Quality Control Tester (QC Tester)Quality ControllerQuality CoordinatorQuality Improvement AnalystQuality Improvement SpecialistQuality Process AuditorQuality Specialist