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Advanced Manufacturing

Quality Assurance Technician

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

Annual openings

236

Median wage

$63,760

Typical education

Training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Growth 2026–2032

+9%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Credential detail

No credential is required. Some manufactured goods must meet special quality requirements, such as Aerospace Manufacturing meeting AS 9100 Certification standards. In those cases, those certifications will be valued.

Work experience

No previous work experience is required. However, jobs as an inspector can help you gain experience for this job.

Employer competency information

  • Feedback from employers identified the following competencies as being critical to success: Effective communication with peers when a problem is found, the ability to read blueprints, and the use of hand and precision tools.
Salary/Demand information crosses multiple jobs in multiple industries.
If you like to question and evaluate things and have an idea of how things should be improved, a career in quality assurance may be perfect for you.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Conduct routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
  2. Interpret test results, compare them to established specifications and control limits, and make recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
  3. Calibrate, validate, or maintain laboratory equipment.
  4. Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
  5. Perform visual inspections of finished products.
  6. Complete documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
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