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The differences between construction inspectors and finish carpenters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a construction inspector, becoming a finish carpenter takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a construction inspector has an average salary of $52,306, which is higher than the $46,987 average annual salary of a finish carpenter.
The top three skills for a construction inspector include asphalt, ACI and construction inspection. The most important skills for a finish carpenter are hand tools, custom cabinets, and safety rules.
| Construction Inspector | Finish Carpenter | |
| Yearly salary | $52,306 | $46,987 |
| Hourly rate | $25.15 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 42,007 | 11,653 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
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.
Finish carpenters are skilled professionals who perform the final touches on homes after the structure is fully built. These carpenters must carry out various tasks such as installing doors, building bookshelves, and adding designs to window and door trims. They are required to follow work from sketches and drawings to complete the job to the right specifications as well as collecting the correct materials before beginning a job. Finish carpenters must also dismantle and demolish before carrying out repairs or installing new materials.
Construction inspectors and finish carpenters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Construction Inspector | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average salary | $52,306 | $46,987 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $75,000 | Between $34,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Orange County Sanitation District | Turner Construction |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Construction |
There are a few differences between a construction inspector and a finish carpenter in terms of educational background:
| Construction Inspector | Finish Carpenter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Civil Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | - |
Here are the differences between construction inspectors' and finish carpenters' demographics:
| Construction Inspector | Finish Carpenter | |
| Average age | 50 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 96.5% Female, 3.5% |
| 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, 7.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 23.2% Asian, 1.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 2% |