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.
In 2021-2022, quality control technology was the 159th most popular major nationwide with 3,720 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Quality Control Technology Schools ranking analyzes 32 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for quality control technology students. Explore this or one of our many other custom quality control tech rankings further below.
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.
quality control technology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific quality control tech careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different quality control tech degree levels. You can get anything from a in quality control technology to the highest quality control tech degree, a . Quality Control Technology programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to quality control tech, with approximately 47.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for quality control tech workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 35.5% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 27.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 6.4% |
57.0% of quality control tech workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in quality control technology have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which quality control tech career you choose.
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.
Want a job when you graduate with your quality control tech degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to quality control technology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 465,200 | -10.7% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 90,500 | 8.1% |
| Environmental Engineering Technicians | 19,100 | 12.4% |
Quality Control Technology graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $63,355 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $33,249 to as high as $120,947. As you might expect, salaries for quality control tech graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for quality control technology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers quality control tech grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $74,940 |
| Environmental Engineering Technicians | $54,800 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $42,010 |
With over 289 different quality control tech degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased quality control tech school rankings to help you with this.
One of 18 majors within the Engineering Technologies area of study, Quality Control Technology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Occupational Safety & Health Technology | 2,874 |
| Quality Control Technology | 499 |
| Industrial Safety Technology | 237 |
| Other Quality Control & Safety Technologies | 105 |
| Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology | 5 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technology | 11,288 |
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 10,780 |
| Environmental Control Technology | 9,376 |
| Drafting & Design Engineering Technology | 8,822 |
| Electronics Engineering Technology | 8,347 |
Image Credit: By Gina Collecchia under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
