Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, South Dakota
$59,500 / year
≈ $4,950 per month · $28.61 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for South Dakota · median $53,500
25th percentile
$46,500Average
$59,50075th percentile
$74,000
$46,500Average
$59,50075th percentile
$74,000
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Quality Control Analyst salary by state
Alabama$64,000
Alaska$77,000
Arizona$66,000
Arkansas$58,000
California$81,500
Colorado$73,500
Connecticut$75,000
District of Columbia$82,500
Florida$69,000
Georgia$87,500
Hawaii$57,000
Idaho$68,500
Illinois$62,500
Indiana$60,500
Iowa$57,000
Kansas$68,500
Kentucky$72,500
Louisiana$61,000
Maine$77,000
Maryland$81,500
Massachusetts$71,500
Michigan$66,000
Minnesota$57,500
Mississippi$65,000
Missouri$64,000
Montana$58,000
Nebraska$59,000
Nevada$65,500
New Hampshire$75,500
New Jersey$61,500
New Mexico$63,500
New York$69,500
North Carolina$65,500
North Dakota$68,500
Ohio$58,000
Oklahoma$94,000
Oregon$65,000
Pennsylvania$64,500
Rhode Island$77,500
South Carolina$66,000
South Dakota$59,500
Tennessee$67,000
Texas$57,000
Utah$60,000
Vermont$68,000
Virginia$71,500
Washington$79,000
West Virginia$64,500
Wisconsin$52,000
Wyoming$69,500
About this role
Quality Control Analyst is a professional role within the function in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Quality Control Analysts do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- 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.
- Ensure that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
- Perform visual inspections of finished products.
Top skills: Quality Control Analysis Reading Comprehension Monitoring Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Writing
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Quality Control Analyst pay by experience level
Entry level$40,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$49,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$64,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$82,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$106,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
10,600
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Quality Control Analyst salary by industry
Educational Services
26,500 workers
$64,500Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
25,880 workers
$64,500Educational Services, State Government Owned
20,020 workers
$66,000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
16,010 workers
$71,500Scientific Research and Development Services
10,070 workers
$72,500Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
8,510 workers
$74,000Administrative and Support Services
5,560 workers
$60,500Employment Services
5,290 workers
$60,000Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
5,290 workers
$82,000Educational Services, Privately Owned
5,180 workers
$59,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Quality Control Analyst pays 32% below the average across 66 roles in the Life, Physical, and Social Science job family (family average $100,500).
Similar-paying roles in Life, Physical, and Social Science
Chemical Technician$66,000
Hydrologic Technician$72,000
Biological Technician$63,500
Food Science Technician$58,500
Careers related to Quality Control Analyst
Biofuels Production Manager$139,000
Industrial Engineer$113,500
Chemical Technician$66,000
Food Science Technician$58,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Quality Control Analyst make?
The average base salary for a Quality Control Analyst in the United States is $68,500 per year, or about $32.93 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $49,500 and $82,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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