SOC 51-9061
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Risk Score
⚠️68/100
High Risk
US Employment
👥591,180
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$47K
$35K – $76K
Projected Growth
📈0%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖63/100
High exposure
💡 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers face a risk score of 68/100 — 24 points above the national average of 44. With 63/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite weak projected growth. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $47K ($1K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 68/100, Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like automated data interpretation and insight generation are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 591,180 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions and quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
Automated data interpretation and insight generation
Industrial robotics replacing manual assembly tasks
Large language model automation of analysis tasks
AI summarization replacing manual report compilation
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Troubleshooting complex equipment malfunctions
Quality judgment requiring tactile and visual inspection
Setup and calibration of custom production runs
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineers | 20 | $106K | 61% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | 25 | $62K | 51% |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 33 | $68K | 70% |