Code official vs utility inspector

The differences between code officials and utility 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 code official and a utility inspector. Additionally, a code official has an average salary of $54,026, which is higher than the $43,725 average annual salary of a utility inspector.

The top three skills for a code official include plumbing, construction projects and code compliance. The most important skills for a utility inspector are pipeline construction, gas meters, and backfill.

Code official vs utility inspector overview

	Code Official	Utility Inspector
Yearly salary	$54,026	$43,725
Hourly rate	$25.97	$21.02
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	324	23,106
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	6	6

Code official vs utility inspector salary

Code officials and utility inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Code Official	Utility Inspector
Average salary	$54,026	$43,725
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $83,000	Between $32,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Montana
Best paying company	-	RS&H
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between code official and utility inspector education

There are a few differences between a code official and a utility inspector in terms of educational background:

	Code Official	Utility Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Code official vs utility inspector demographics

Here are the differences between code officials' and utility inspectors' demographics:

	Code Official	Utility Inspector
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between code official and utility inspector duties and responsibilities

Code official example responsibilities.

Manage high volume case assignments to a final disposition of abatement, civil summons, criminal arrests or referral.
Perform plumbing, electric, building, and HVAC inspections for residential and commercial projects.
Retrieve patients' information from internal system, distribute proper reports to physicians and other materials to corresponding departments.
Conduct investigation inspection on HUD construct manufactured homes.

Utility inspector example responsibilities.

Remain compliant with API 1104 and Enogex WPS's and manage technical documents and information sharing.
Inspect all coating application to ensure proper application and WFT is achieved per clients and manufacturers specifications and standards.
Document heat numbers of pipe and x-ray numbers and GPS coordinates of welds.
Conduct internal quality audits to ensure compliance with all FAA, EASA, OSHA and ISO regularity compliance.
Perform inspection and classification of various construction materials and construction activities including installation of asphalt, concrete, and soil foundations.
Ensure contractors have and used PPE.

Code official vs utility inspector skills

Common code official skills

Plumbing, 18%
Construction Projects, 12%
Code Compliance, 12%
Plan Review, 10%
Fire Protection, 8%
Building Codes, 8%

Common utility inspector skills

Pipeline Construction, 18%
Gas Meters, 12%
Backfill, 11%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Utility Poles, 5%
DOT, 4%