Construction and Building Inspectors
Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.
Also called: Building Code Administrator · Building Inspector · Building Official · Code Enforcement Officer · Code Inspector · Combination Building Inspector
Median pay (national)
$72,120
$46,560–$112,320 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
137,210
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.8%
~14,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for construction and building inspectors shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $112,320 versus $46,560 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $72,120 leaves roughly 56% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.8% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 14,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $101,160, +40% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $29,430 — a 244% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
- Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
- Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
- Inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.
- Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
- Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
- Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.
- Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.
- Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.
- Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- SAP software
- Arc Second PocketCAD
- Automated permit system software
- Database software
- ESRI ArcView
- Inspection Depot Home Guide System
- Microsoft Exchange
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mobile building inspection software
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Law and Government
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management