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The differences between construction inspectors and building 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 construction inspector and a building inspector. Additionally, a construction inspector has an average salary of $52,306, which is higher than the $51,781 average annual salary of a building inspector.
The top three skills for a construction inspector include asphalt, ACI and construction inspection. The most important skills for a building inspector are plumbing, customer service, and building construction.
| Construction Inspector | Building Inspector | |
| Yearly salary | $52,306 | $51,781 |
| Hourly rate | $25.15 | $24.89 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 42,007 | 20,962 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A construction inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.
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.
Construction inspectors and building inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Inspector | Building Inspector | |
| Average salary | $52,306 | $51,781 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $75,000 | Between $31,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Orange County Sanitation District | Icma-rc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a construction inspector and a building inspector in terms of educational background:
| Construction Inspector | Building Inspector | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between construction inspectors' and building inspectors' demographics:
| Construction Inspector | Building Inspector | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1% |
| 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, 8.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |