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The differences between building inspectors and bridge inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a building inspector and a bridge inspector. Additionally, a bridge inspector has an average salary of $52,316, which is higher than the $51,781 average annual salary of a building inspector.
The top three skills for a building inspector include plumbing, customer service and building construction. The most important skills for a bridge inspector are DOT, asphalt, and construction inspection.
| Building Inspector | Bridge Inspector | |
| Yearly salary | $51,781 | $52,316 |
| Hourly rate | $24.89 | $25.15 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 20,962 | 17,216 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A building inspector is responsible for inspecting the safety and security of the building location, including its structural quality and construction documents. Building inspectors coordinate with landowners or institutions to verify code regulations compliance and submit work orders and permits. They also provide expense forecasting for development, identifying cost-reduction techniques by recommending trusted suppliers and third-party vendors on construction materials with the highest quality. A building inspector must have excellent communication and analytical skills, especially on negotiating contracts and processing occupation permits.
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.
Building inspectors and bridge inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Building Inspector | Bridge Inspector | |
| Average salary | $51,781 | $52,316 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $84,000 | Between $33,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Icma-rc | Parsons |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a building inspector and a bridge inspector in terms of educational background:
| Building Inspector | Bridge Inspector | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between building inspectors' and bridge inspectors' demographics:
| Building Inspector | Bridge Inspector | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |