by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 121 U.S. colleges awarded 4,377 degrees and certificates in Quality Control Technology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 54 schools in its 2027 Best Quality Control Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $67,389 one year after completing, rising to $83,883 after four years.
Within 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.
A major in Quality Control Technology covers Quality Control And Safety Technologies/technicians.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, quality control technology is a popular field of study, with 4,377 degrees awarded annually. 121 colleges award quality control technology degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,166.
By level, the 4,377 awards include 135 certificates, 880 associate degrees, 1,767 bachelor’s degrees, 1,475 master’s degrees and 5 doctorates.
Women earned 26% of quality control technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,133 of 4,377). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,652) and Black or African American (520), and international students earned 70.
College Factual ranks 54 schools in its 2027 Best Quality Control Technology Schools ranking, including 12 for associate degrees, 21 for bachelor’s degrees and 12 for master’s degrees. It also ranks quality control technology schools within 17 states. In all, 121 colleges offer quality control technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Quality Control Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common quality control technology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,767 of the 4,377 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to quality control technology call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, English Language and Mechanical, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity and Deductive Reasoning.
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.
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How long a quality control technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 135 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 880 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,767 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,475 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 5 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to quality control technology, at 29.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 29.4% |
| Some college courses | 16.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 8.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.9% |
| Master’s degree | 3.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Quality Control Technology, with an average median salary of $68,811; the strongest outlook belongs to Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, at 12.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Quality Technician, Quality Specialist, Test Technician and Engineering Technician.
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.
The occupation related to quality control technology with the most projected jobs is Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, at 266,539.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 266,539 | 2.0% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | 181,891 | 12.1% |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 138,570 | -0.5% |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 135,241 | -1.0% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | 72,502 | 2.7% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | 54,625 | 9.1% |
Quality Control Technology graduates earn a median $67,389 one year after completing their program, $83,883 after four years and $79,621 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,389 |
| 4 years | $83,883 |
| 5 years | $79,621 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to quality control technology is Occupational Health and Safety Specialists, with a median salary of $105,544.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $105,544 |
| Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $88,689 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,085 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $50,036 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $48,647 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $42,864 |
Quality Control Technology includes 4 concentrations that together award 4,377 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician (3,546), Quality Control Technology/Technician (442) and Industrial Safety Technology/Technician (268). It has 18 similar majors in the Engineering Technologies field, which together award 94,670 degrees a year; the largest are Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (13,228), Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (12,892) and Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (12,771). Browse all Engineering Technologies majors or the full list of college majors.
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