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Environmental inspector vs building inspector

The differences between environmental inspectors and building inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a building inspector has an average salary of $51,781, which is higher than the $43,952 average annual salary of an environmental inspector.

The top three skills for an environmental inspector include environmental compliance, SWPPP and state regulations. The most important skills for a building inspector are plumbing, customer service, and building construction.

Environmental inspector vs building inspector overview

Environmental InspectorBuilding Inspector
Yearly salary$43,952$51,781
Hourly rate$21.13$24.89
Growth rate5%-4%
Number of jobs33,79120,962
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4650
Years of experience-6

What does an environmental inspector do?

Environmental Inspectors search websites for job searching to check if there are any violations of the environmental code and take immediate proper actions to restore the site's compliance. They also look through different permits, licenses, and records to ensure that everything has been done properly. They should also be informed and updated about the latest regulations related to their field. In cases where they find a violation, Environmental Compliance Inspectors may or may not be required to perform a follow-up with the case and ensure compliance will no longer be an issue.

What does a building inspector do?

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.

Environmental inspector vs building inspector salary

Environmental inspectors and building inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Environmental InspectorBuilding Inspector
Average salary$43,952$51,781
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $65,000Between $31,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Icma-rc
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between environmental inspector and building inspector education

There are a few differences between an environmental inspector and a building inspector in terms of educational background:

Environmental InspectorBuilding Inspector
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorEnvironmental ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversitySan Diego State University

Environmental inspector vs building inspector demographics

Here are the differences between environmental inspectors' and building inspectors' demographics:

Environmental InspectorBuilding Inspector
Average age4650
Gender ratioMale, 81.5% Female, 18.5%Male, 88.9% Female, 11.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 8.4% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage12%5%

Differences between environmental inspector and building inspector duties and responsibilities

Environmental inspector example responsibilities.

  • Manage environmental team, implement SWPPP.
  • Perform fit test, EPA regulate air sampling, training and scheduling and manage HealthRX database.
  • Provide EHS regulatory compliance services to several federal government clients and manage hazardous waste documentation databases.
  • Ensure compliance with NPDES, SWPPP, and SPPC.
  • Utilize GIS skills in sewer mapping and GPS field data collection.
  • Interface with OSHA, FEMA, DCED, EPA, USACOE, PADEP, PADOT local municipalities and contractors.
  • Show more

Building inspector example responsibilities.

  • Lead site excavations, form structuring, and supervise concrete pours.
  • Manage high volume case assignments to a final disposition of abatement, civil summons, criminal arrests or referral.
  • Work from ladders, hanging scaffolding, boats, and from the bucket of snooper and bucket trucks.
  • Assist in roofing and carpentry.
  • Administer FEMA floodplain and mitigation efforts.
  • Work orders for HVAC and architectural contractors.
  • Show more

Environmental inspector vs building inspector skills

Common environmental inspector skills
  • Environmental Compliance, 12%
  • SWPPP, 6%
  • State Regulations, 5%
  • Pipeline Construction, 4%
  • GPS, 4%
  • Technical Reports, 4%
Common building inspector skills
  • Plumbing, 14%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Building Construction, 9%
  • Ladders, 8%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Code Violations, 5%

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