How to hire a code inspector

How to hire a code inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step code inspector hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your code inspector 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 code inspector 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a code inspector to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a code inspector that fits the bill.

   This list presents code inspector salaries for various positions.

   Type of Code Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Code Inspector	Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.	$15-34
   Plans Examiner	A 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
   Construction Analyst	A Construction Analyst prepares statements, annual financial reports, exhibits, transmittal letters, schedules, statistical tables, management analysis, and management discussion. They handle business forecast analysis, cash flow projection analysis, statistical report analysis, government requirement analysis, financial plan analysis, budget analysis, and forecast analysis... Show more	$25-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Code Violations
   • Plumbing
   • Patrol
   • Building Codes
   • Life Safety
   • City Codes
   • GRASS
   • Local Codes
   • Public Health
   • Fire Protection
   • City Ordinances
   • Demolition
   • Building Inspections
   • Private Property

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage high volume case assignments to a final disposition of abatement, civil summons, criminal arrests or referral.
   • Train newly hire plumbing inspectors with obtaining knowledge of WSSC policies and procedures.
   • Produce quality notifications on installation procedures and vendor products in order to meet engineering criteria and FAA guidelines.
   • Appear in court for subpoenas regarding citations issues.
   • Conduct investigation inspection on HUD construct manufactured homes.

   More code inspector duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your code inspector job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A code inspector can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, code inspectors' average salary in oklahoma is 55% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level code inspectors 54% less than senior-level code inspectors.
   • Certifications. A code inspector with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a code inspector's salary.

   Average code inspector salary

   $49,224yearly

   $23.67 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level code inspector salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average code inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$73,357	$35
   2	Illinois	$48,390	$23
   3	Virginia	$47,472	$23
   4	Oregon	$46,118	$22
   5	Maryland	$45,008	$22
   6	Tennessee	$43,481	$21
   7	Colorado	$43,261	$21
   8	Texas	$41,372	$20
   9	Pennsylvania	$39,775	$19
   10	Kentucky	$33,879	$16

   Average code inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Arlington County, VA	$56,411	$27.12
   2	Bechtel Corporation	$55,862	$26.86
   3	Central Lakes College	$54,228	$26.07
   4	Anne Arundel County Public Schools	$52,828	$25.40
   5	City of Austin	$52,329	$25.16
   6	City of Hampton	$51,932	$24.97	2
   7	Bureau Veritas	$51,633	$24.82	117
   8	Lehigh Valley Health Network	$49,411	$23.76
   9	City of Covington	$49,401	$23.75
   10	City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government	$49,111	$23.61	1
   11	City of Mesquite, TX	$48,217	$23.18
   12	City of Pittsburgh	$47,885	$23.02
   13	City of Richmond	$47,772	$22.97	3
   14	Prince William County	$47,430	$22.80	1
   15	State Bar of Michigan	$44,121	$21.21
   16	City of Glendale, CA	$43,440	$20.88
   17	Missouri City Hall	$42,689	$20.52
   18	City of Norfolk	$42,369	$20.37
   19	Village of Schaumburg	$41,602	$20.00
   20	City of Greeley	$41,067	$19.74	2

4. Writing a code inspector job description

   A code inspector 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. Below, you can find an example of a code inspector job description:

   Code inspector job description example

   Code Compliance Inspectors, under the direction of the Manager of Field Operations/Code Compliance Supervisors, perform specialized inspections and enforcement of ordinances, regulations and laws governing the transit system. Code Compliance Inspectors are responsible for enforcing all ordinances and laws approved by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Board of Directors. Code Compliance Inspectors are classified as Public Officers under the law with Powers of Arrest. The position is non-sworn and unarmed. Considerable judgment is required in meeting emergency situations, enforcing regulations, and in coordination with other personnel, contractors, and local agencies. Ordinances are enforced by the issuance of citations and arrests are occasionally necessary. Code Compliance Inspectors are required to prepare incident and arrest reports, as well as testify in court when subpoenaed. Officers work varied shifts based on seniority on a 4 day/10 hours per day work week. Some officers may be selected for bike patrol duty. Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
   What Transit Enforcement Code Compliance Inspectors do:
   
   Essential Functions
   
   * Ensures passenger safety on all MTS properties, trolleys, buses, stations, bus stops, transit centers and in paratransit vehicles.
   * Assists and provides information to patrons and the public.
   * Ensures compliance with all MTS Ordinances, Penal, Public Utility, Health and Safety and Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Codes, as approved by the Board of Directors, for enforcement on all MTS properties, trolleys, buses, stations, bus stops, transit centers and in paratransit vehicles.
   * Enforces the fare ordinance by performing unannounced random inspection of fares on board trains and in fare paid zones.
   * Enforces other violations including, but not limited to, narcotics and alcohol-related offenses, and quality of life violations.
   * Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   What MTS is Looking For:
   
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   
   * Knowledge of or ability to learn MTS policies and regulations.
   * Ability to read, understand and apply MTS policies, regulations and union labor contracts.
   * Ability to write letters, memoranda and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct English.
   * Ability to speak clearly, distinctly and effectively in person-to-person or small group situations using tact and diplomacy.
   * Ability to coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement decisions and delegate responsibilities to appropriate personnel.
   * Ability to establish and maintain priorities in order to complete assignments by deadlines without detailed instructions.
   * Skill in verifying the accuracy and completeness of forms and reports; knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
   * Ability to learn and use other software that MTS might have or acquire.
   * Ability to use 2-way radios to communicate with supervisors and the Operation Control Center and police radios to communicate during routine records checks or in emergency response situations.
   * Ability to use a hand-held electronic device to inspect fares; knowledge of or ability to learn the in-house computerized data base program Transit Watch.
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * The successful candidate must be able to fulfill the physical demands of the job such as walking, stooping, sitting, bending, reaching for overhead files and occasional lifting (must be able to lift up to 75 pounds).
   * Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and perform tasks involving manual dexterity, such as use of a computer and 10-key.
   * Must be able to stand on moving light rail vehicles and/or buses for up to 4 hours per day.
   * Must be able to physically restrain combative/resistant violators.
   * Must have the ability to render aid during emergency response situations, including physically removing injured or unconscious victims in the event of an accident involving any MTS vehicle.
   * Must have the ability to run distances of up to 400 yards to respond to emergencies and calls for assistance from passengers or other enforcement personnel.
   * Code Compliance Inspectors work a 4-10 plan work-week and may be assigned to work nights and/or weekends as part of their regular schedule.
   
   Experience/Education/Certificates/License(s)
   
   * Possess a high school diploma or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
   * Familiarity with the California Criminal Justice system is desirable.
   * Candidates must complete the POST 832 PC Certified Course in Laws of Arrest prior to hire or within the first year of employment.
   * Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license.
   
   General Information:
   
   * Must satisfactorily pass all applicable examinations including, but not limited to, a pre-employment physical, drug screen and background check.
   
   DISCLAIMER: The above described job elements are intended to indicate the general nature and levels of work being performed by employees assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and skills required of employees so classified. Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right code inspector for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your code inspector job on Zippia to find and attract quality code inspector candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting code inspectors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 code inspector

   Once you've decided on a perfect code inspector candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new code inspector first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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.)

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