Bridge inspector vs construction supervisor

The differences between bridge inspectors and construction supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a bridge inspector, becoming a construction supervisor takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a construction supervisor has an average salary of $62,881, which is higher than the $52,316 average annual salary of a bridge inspector.

The top three skills for a bridge inspector include DOT, asphalt and construction inspection. The most important skills for a construction supervisor are customer service, OSHA, and project management.

Bridge inspector vs construction supervisor overview

	Bridge Inspector	Construction Supervisor
Yearly salary	$52,316	$62,881
Hourly rate	$25.15	$30.23
Growth rate	-4%	8%
Number of jobs	17,216	32,487
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	50	46
Years of experience	6	-

What does a bridge inspector do?

Bridge inspectors are civil engineer construction specialists whose job is to assess the conditions of bridges, ensuring public safety. The inspectors inspect any damage and deterioration of the bridges, culverts, waterways, and trestles. They are familiar with the analysis system of load rating. Their job involves monitoring construction-related activities to make sure that contractors will comply with design drawings, safety requirements, and specifications. Also, they function as a liaison project engineer between the project and field engineer.

What does a construction supervisor do?

Construction supervisors ensure construction team members work jointly to deliver excellent work on time. They provide team-building sessions and training and monitor the construction processes. These professionals ensure the construction processes take place every time as per the safety regulations and health regulations. Besides creating budgets, project plans, reports and delivering them to the appropriate stakeholders, construction supervisors also perform routine site, material, and equipment inspections. They always remain updated about the construction advancements and construction safety codes.

Bridge inspector vs construction supervisor salary

Bridge inspectors and construction supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bridge Inspector	Construction Supervisor
Average salary	$52,316	$62,881
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $82,000	Between $42,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	Olympia, WA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Washington	New York
Best paying company	Parsons	SBA Communications
Best paying industry	Technology	Energy

Differences between bridge inspector and construction supervisor education

There are a few differences between a bridge inspector and a construction supervisor in terms of educational background:

	Bridge Inspector	Construction Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Civil Engineering	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	-

Bridge inspector vs construction supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between bridge inspectors' and construction supervisors' demographics:

	Bridge Inspector	Construction Supervisor
Average age	50	46
Gender ratio	Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	5%	2%

Differences between bridge inspector and construction supervisor duties and responsibilities

Bridge inspector example responsibilities.

Coordinate, manage, and conduct geotechnical engineering and engineering geology subsurface investigations.
Create bridge rehabilitation drafts with AutoCAD, Civil3D.
Develop computer-aid drawings using AutoCAD.
Conduct safety-focused inspections to ensure licensee compliance with license provisions and NRC rules and regulations.
Submit Rfi's, and permits the was need for the jobs
Provide services for bridge construction and repair, iron work, carpentry, and structural concrete work

Construction supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, control inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
Conduct site visits to ensure OSHA and local safety regulations are adhered to in accordance with company policy.
Perform caulking tasks which include: priming, air barrier on walls and utilizing mechanical tools.
Perform daily project walk-through to assess safety and cleanliness, thus ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations and insurance requirement.
Maintain the church building and school including general repairs, preventative maintenance, HVAC and scheduling contractors for repairs as needed.
Purchase framing, siding, cornice, roofing, finish carpentry and all other materials necessary, maintaining effective inventory control.

Bridge inspector vs construction supervisor skills

Common bridge inspector skills

DOT, 19%
Asphalt, 14%
Construction Inspection, 11%
ACI, 9%
Highway Construction, 6%
NCDOT, 6%

Common construction supervisor skills

Customer Service, 10%
OSHA, 8%
Project Management, 8%
Work Ethic, 6%
Construction Management, 5%
Construction Sites, 5%

Bridge Inspector vs. similar jobs

Bridge Inspector related careers

Bridge Inspector related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Construction and Extraction Industry
Bridge Inspector
Bridge Inspector vs Construction Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs