Post job

How to hire a building official

Building official hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring building officials in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a building official is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new building official to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a building official, step by step

To hire a building official, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a building official, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step building official hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a building official job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new building official
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a building official do?

A building official has the authority to enforce building codes within their jurisdiction. Usually working for government agencies, a building official is in charge of conducting building inspections to determine if the construction complies with the safety standards and regulations. They may also approve or deny permit applications, review requirements, and verify documents. Moreover, a building official also has managerial office duties such as supervising and leading staff to reach goals, setting daily objectives and guidelines, establishing timelines, delegating responsibilities among teams, and implementing policies and regulations.

Learn more about the specifics of what a building official does
jobs
Post a building official job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your building official job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a building official for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A building official's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, building officials from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    The following list breaks down different types of building officials and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Building OfficialDescriptionHourly rate
    Building OfficialConstruction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.$11-42
    Home InspectorA home inspector is primarily in charge of performing inspections and assessments to identify problem areas and potential risks. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their line of work or company of employment, it usually includes studying and assessing the structural elements of houses such as its floors and ceilings, testing the alarm or fire detecting equipment, inspecting drainage and pipe systems, and checking appliances should there be any... Show more$15-39
    Plans ExaminerA plans examiner is typically in charge of evaluating construction or work plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and zoning ordinances. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and reviewing applications and documentation, verifying the accuracy and authenticity of requirements, and assuring that they adhere to the safety policies and standards... Show more$19-40
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Community Development
    • Code Compliance
    • Plumbing
    • Public Works
    • Code Enforcement
    • State Building
    • Construction Codes
    • General Direction
    • Residential Buildings
    • Life Safety
    • Construction Methods
    • Building Permits
    • Appeals
    • City Ordinances
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead site excavations, form structuring, and supervise concrete pours.
    • Modernize department by directing adoption and implementation of current editions of building, electric, fire, plumbing and mechanical codes.
    • Participate in networking and collaboration with other regional CBA providers.
    • Conduct investigation inspection on HUD construct manufactured homes.
    More building official duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the building official job description is a good way to get more applicants. A building official salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a building official in Georgia may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level building official. Additionally, a building official with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average building official salary

    $46,398yearly

    $22.31 hourly rate

    Entry-level building official salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025

    Average building official salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$59,564$29
    2Connecticut$55,375$27
    3Illinois$45,756$22
    4District of Columbia$43,854$21
    5Ohio$38,432$18
    6Washington$37,507$18
    7Florida$37,095$18
    8Texas$34,435$17
    9Oregon$32,805$16
    10Georgia$29,867$14

    Average building official salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1University of California$75,422$36.26
    2CSG$71,112$34.19
    3Lincoln Holdings LLC$47,222$22.70
    4Lakeland Electric$47,074$22.63
    5Minnesota Limited$45,740$21.99
    6City of Visalia$39,828$19.15
    7SAFEbuilt$34,539$16.6188
    8City of Colleyville$30,371$14.60
    9City of Corvallis$28,938$13.91
  4. Writing a building official job description

    A building official job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a building official job description:

    Building official job description example

    • Knowledge Knowledgeable in all aspects of job and City operations; maintains high quality of work; follows health and safety guidelines.
    • Yes-Attitude Demonstrates superior customer service; treats other employees and citizens with kindness; promotes goodwill; solves conflict with tact.
    • Leading Edge Continually looking for areas to improve upon; decisive and adaptive; supports new ideas; a driver for change. Innovative
    • Employee Accountability - Actively seeks and gives performance feedback in order to determine developmental opportunities; uses feedback as an opportunity for continuous improvement.
    • Ability to Manage Performance Organizes work processes to be effective and efficient; provides employees with the necessary training and resources to get the job done; communicates clear performance expectations and standards to the team and provides formal feedback on performance on an ongoing basis constructively and tactfully.
    • Develops and Leads an Effective Team -Provides learning opportunities to the team; encourages decision making and accountability; establishes a vision and direction and motivates/inspires the team to follow suit; leads by example.

    PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
    • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the appropriate tools to construct objects, structures, and buildings.
    • Knowledge of technical and administrative aspects of all phases of building plan reviews, inspections, codes, contractor licenses and qualifications necessary to obtain them.
    • Must be able to interpret and apply various codes and regulations pertaining to building safety.
    • Judgement and Decision Making weighing the relative costs and benefits of the potential action.
    • Writing and information gathering communicating effectively with others in writing and verbally as indicated by the needs of the audience and knowing how to find information.
    • Strong project management and organizational skills. Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands while meeting deadlines.
    • Critical thinking using logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.

    QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
    • Completion of a bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, or a related field; and
    • A minimum of five (5) years of related employment experience, with at least two (2) years of which were in a related supervisory capacity.
    • Or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience which evidences a comprehensive knowledge of required job duties and expectations.

    • State of Texas Plumbing Inspector's License required; ICC Combination Building Inspector or the ability to obtain within one year of hire.

    • Spanish bi-lingual written and verbal communication skills highly preferred, but not required.

    • Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas Driver's License and be eligible for coverage under the City of Kyle vehicle insurance provider.


    Physical Demands:

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hand and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk; hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Any corrective eyewear required while operating a motor vehicle must be worn at all times while working.


    Working Environment:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat and risk of electrical shock. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; explosives; risk of radiation and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually


    This position description has been prepared to assist in defining job responsibilities, physical demands, and skills needed. It is not intended as a complete list of job duties, responsibilities, and/or essential functions. This description is no intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The City of Kyle retains and reserves any or all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete, form any section of this document as it deems, in its judgment, to be proper.


  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find building officials for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your building official job on Zippia to find and attract quality building official candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with building official candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new building official

    Once you've found the building official candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new building official. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire a building official?

There are different types of costs for hiring building officials. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new building official employee.

Building officials earn a median yearly salary is $46,398 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find building officials for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $42.

Find better building officials in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring building officials FAQs

Search for building official jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse construction and extraction jobs