Career Paths From Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Machine Feeders and OffbearersCareer Change90.5% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Machine Feeders and Offbearers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Machine Feeders and Offbearers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 15% lower.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$41,220
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and TendersLateral Move92.7% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$48,040
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Locomotive EngineersCareer Change93.2% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Locomotive Engineers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Locomotive Engineers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 68% higher.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$81,410
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Fiberglass Laminators and FabricatorsLateral Move91.3% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 3% lower.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$46,880
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Food BatchmakersLateral Move93.6% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Food Batchmakers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Food Batchmakers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 13% lower.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$42,290
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive FirersCareer Change91.1% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 42% higher.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$68,840
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersCareer Change91.6% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 21% higher.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$58,970
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Power Distributors and DispatchersAdvancement93.1% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Power Distributors and Dispatchers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Power Distributors and Dispatchers is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (3 vs 2). Median salary is about 120% higher.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$106,730
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
3
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and TendersLateral Move90.6% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 10% lower.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$43,530
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Food Cooking Machine Operators and TendersLateral Move92.1% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 14% lower.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$41,590
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
PaperhangersCareer Change89.2% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Paperhangers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Paperhangers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% higher.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$52,140
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallCareer Change89.6% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$49,120
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Foundry Mold and CoremakersLateral Move89.9% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Foundry Mold and Coremakers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Foundry Mold and Coremakers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$48,110
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Model Makers, WoodAdvancement90.3% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Model Makers, Wood share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Model Makers, Wood is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (3 vs 2). Median salary is about 16% higher.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$56,550
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
3
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersLateral Move89.1% skill match
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers and Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 28% lower.
Current median salary
$48,570
Target median salary
$34,890
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.