Occupation · SOC 47-4011
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.
Median wage
$72,120
$46,560–$112,320
Projected growth
-0.8%
Declining
Annual openings
-120
per year
Employed (US)
137,210
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
120 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementSystems EvaluationWritingPersuasionActive LearningSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationMonitoringMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationOperations MonitoringService OrientationScienceOperations AnalysisTroubleshootingOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingManagement of Financial ResourcesRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceLaw and GovernmentDesignMathematicsAdministration and ManagementMechanicalComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativeEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesPhysicsTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingGeographyTransportationPsychologyChemistryProduction and ProcessingSales and MarketingForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologySociology and AnthropologyBiologyFood ProductionTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryFine Arts
Technology & tools
Arc Second PocketCADAutodesk AutoCADAutomated permit system softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareDatabase softwareESRI ArcViewEmail softwareInspection Depot Home Guide SystemInternet browser softwareIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExchangeMicrosoft Internet ExplorerMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordMobile building inspection softwareMunicipal geographic management softwareNew construction inspection form softwareNorthWest Builders Network Plan AnalystOptaSoft Commercial Building InspectorOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementOracle Primavera SystemsQuickenReal estate and tax softwareResidential home inspection form softwareSAP softwareSpreadsheet softwareTrimble Digital FieldbookVision SoftwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDocumenting/Recording InformationWorking with ComputersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsScheduling Work and ActivitiesAnalyzing Data or InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsProcessing InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Building plans and blueprints — review under direct supervision to identify basic compliance requirements at a municipal inspection office.Construction codes and safety regulations — recognize and reference applicable standards when shadowing a senior inspector on active job sites.Inspection checklists and field notes — complete accurately under guidance during routine residential building walkthroughs.Plumbing and wiring installations — observe and document installation progress under supervisor direction on new construction sites.Permit application documents — process and organize with oversight to support issuance workflows in a building department office.Measurement tools and levels — use to verify basic dimensions and alignment of structural elements under direct instruction on residential sites.Compliance software and databases — enter inspection findings and retrieve permit records with guidance from experienced staff.Site safety standards and building codes — identify potential violations and flag for review by a senior inspector during supervised field visits.Property owners and contractors — communicate inspection findings clearly using plain language under the direction of a lead inspector.Word processing and email software — draft basic inspection correspondence and routine field reports in a government building department setting.
developing
Residential and light commercial building plans — review and interpret independently to verify conformance with local codes and zoning requirements.Structural, electrical, and plumbing systems — inspect during and after construction for code compliance and safety on routine municipal projects.Building permits for construction or occupancy — issue and track through the approval workflow with minimal supervisory oversight.Level, alignment, and elevation measurements — verify against approved building plans using standard field instruments on active construction sites.Plumbing, wiring, and HVAC installations — monitor progress and document compliance findings across multiple residential projects simultaneously.Code violations and non-conforming conditions — identify and communicate remedial action requirements to contractors and property owners.CAD drawings and site layout specifications — interpret to confirm spatial accuracy and code compliance during field inspections.Inspection schedules and caseloads — manage using calendar and scheduling software to meet departmental turnaround standards.Geographic information system tools — query to locate parcel data and cross-reference inspection history in a county or municipal office.Written inspection reports — prepare clearly and accurately to document findings and support enforcement actions in a regulatory environment.
proficient
Complex commercial and multi-family building plans — review and approve autonomously, evaluating full structural, mechanical, and life-safety compliance.Bridges, foundations, dams, and highway infrastructure — inspect across all construction phases for structural integrity and specification conformance.Difficult or disputed code compliance cases — analyze using inductive and deductive reasoning to reach defensible enforcement decisions without supervisory input.Non-routine electrical circuits, fire suppression, and sewer systems — inspect and evaluate against evolving regulatory standards on large-scale construction sites.Property owners, developers, and regulatory authorities — confer and negotiate to explain code requirements and secure timely corrective actions.Plan approval decisions and permit denials — justify in formal written determinations that withstand legal and administrative review.Compliance software and inspection databases — leverage to identify patterns of recurring violations and prioritize high-risk inspection targets.Demolition, relocation, and occupancy permits — evaluate and issue across diverse project types within established legal and procedural frameworks.Safety and quality standards across multiple concurrent projects — monitor systematically to ensure consistent code enforcement across a regional caseload.New construction methods and emerging building technologies — evaluate for code applicability using active learning and engineering reference resources.
advanced
Departmental inspection policies and enforcement standards — develop and implement to align organizational practice with updated building codes and state regulations.Junior and mid-level inspectors — mentor, train, and evaluate to build technical competence and consistent code-enforcement judgment across the team.Building code adoption and local amendment processes — lead in collaboration with elected officials, legal counsel, and engineering consultants.Organizational inspection workflows and permit systems — redesign to improve efficiency, reduce backlogs, and leverage GIS and compliance technology at scale.Inter-agency coordination on complex infrastructure projects — direct with public works, fire marshals, utilities, and state oversight bodies to resolve systemic compliance issues.Quality assurance frameworks for inspection accuracy — establish and audit to reduce liability exposure and ensure defensible documentation across the department.Legislative and regulatory changes affecting building and construction — interpret and translate into updated training curricula and procedural guidance for all staff.Appeals, hearings, and enforcement litigation — represent the inspection authority with credibility, providing expert testimony and authoritative written findings.Departmental performance metrics and inspection data — analyze and report to senior leadership and governing boards to guide resource allocation decisions.Community stakeholders, industry associations, and the public — engage strategically to build trust in the inspection program and promote a culture of construction safety.
Also known as
63 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Amusement Ride InspectorArchitectural ExaminerArchitectural InspectorBoiler InspectorBridge InspectorBuilding Code AdministratorBuilding Code InspectorBuilding Equipment InspectorBuilding InspectorBuilding OfficialCEI (Construction Engineering Inspector)Code Enforcement OfficerCode InspectorCombination Building InspectorCommercial InspectorCompliance AnalystCompliance CoordinatorCompliance ManagerCompliance OfficerConstruction CheckerConstruction Code AdministratorConstruction InspectorDredging InspectorElectrical Construction InspectorElectrical InspectorElevator InspectorEngineering InspectorField InspectorGas InspectorGrade CheckerHeating and Refrigeration InspectorHighway InspectorHome Services InspectorHousing InspectorInfrastructure Technician (Infrastructure Tech)Inspecting EngineerInspectorLine InspectorLocator Technician (Locator Tech)Natural Gas Inspector