Occupations · Life, Physical, and Social Science

Quality Control Analysts

Conduct tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 19-4099.01

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
Perform visual inspections of finished products.
Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
Compile laboratory test data and perform appropriate analyses.
Identify and troubleshoot equipment problems.
Write technical reports or documentation, such as deviation reports, testing protocols, and trend analyses.
Investigate or report questionable test results.
Monitor testing procedures to ensure that all tests are performed according to established item specifications, standard test methods, or protocols.
Identify quality problems and recommend solutions.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension3.8

Monitoring3.8

Active Listening3.4

Writing3.2

Critical Thinking3.2

Speaking3.1

Active Learning3.1

Mathematics3.0

Science2.8

Learning Strategies2.8

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Adobe Acrobat●Atlassian JIRA●C●Extensible markup language XML●Hypertext markup language HTML●JavaScript●Microsoft ASP.NET●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft SQL Server●Microsoft SharePoint●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Visual Basic●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●SAP software●Selenium●Structured query language SQL●The MathWorks MATLAB●Borland SilkTestCode profilersDatabase softwareEkoFileMaker Pro

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions+2.1 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+1.9 above average

Exposed to Contaminants+1.6 above average

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General−1.2 below average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls+0.9 above average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable+0.9 above average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures+0.8 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2020-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)38%

Bachelor's Degree28%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)10%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2020-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional6.0

Investigative4.9

Realistic4.1

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Quality Control Analysis4.0

Complex Problem Solving3.4

Operations Monitoring3.2

Systems Evaluation3.0

Systems Analysis3.0

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Judgment and Decision Making3.0

Troubleshooting3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

MathematicsProduction and ProcessingChemistryEnglish LanguageAdministrativeComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Near VisionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionDeductive Reasoning

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Lab AnalystQuality AuditorQuality AnalystLaboratory AnalystQuality SpecialistQuality ControllerQuality CoordinatorData Quality AnalystQuality Process AuditorMicrobiology Lab AnalystLab Technician (Lab Tech)Quality Systems SpecialistQuality Improvement AnalystPerformance Quality Auditor

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 20

+SAP software+Selenium+FileMaker Pro+Database software+Adobe Acrobat+Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)+C+Relational database management software+Atlassian JIRA+IBM Notes+SmugMug Flickr+Microsoft SharePoint+Sparta Systems TrackWise+Microsoft Visual Basic

No longer listed 6

−SeleniumHQ−Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat software−Spreadsheet software−Word processing software−Microsoft Internet Information Service IIS−Relational database software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

Lab TechLab AnalystTest EngineerLab TechnicianQuality ControlQuality AuditorQuality AnalystLaboratory TechMicro Lab AnalystQuality SpecialistResearch AssociateQuality Controller

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
leather goods quality control laboratory technician	3119.15.3	broader
chemical manufacturing quality technician	3116.1.2	broader
call centre quality auditor	3341.3	broader
footwear quality control laboratory technician	3119.15.1	broader
footwear quality technician	3119.15.2	broader
leather goods quality technician	3119.15.4	broader
product quality controller	7543.9	broader
product quality inspector	7543.10	broader
vineyard cellar master	6112.4	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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