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The differences between environmental inspectors and environmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an environmental specialist has an average salary of $54,482, 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 an environmental specialist are hazardous waste, environmental compliance, and hazardous materials.
| Environmental Inspector | Environmental Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $43,952 | $54,482 |
| Hourly rate | $21.13 | $26.19 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 33,791 | 18,074 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
Environmental specialists are experts in natural science who are responsible for monitoring the environmental impact of a population, identifying environmental problems, and recommending measures to solve these issues. These scientists perform various duties and responsibilities that include overseeing field examinations and reporting hazard materials and locations, evaluating environmental health concerns, and investigating preparing reports related to environmental issues. Environmental specialists are also responsible for consulting with agencies or clients about an issue or situation and working with other companies to reduce pollution and waste.
Environmental inspectors and environmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Environmental Inspector | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average salary | $43,952 | $54,482 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $65,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Texas Instruments |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an environmental inspector and an environmental specialist in terms of educational background:
| Environmental Inspector | Environmental Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Environmental Science | Environmental Science |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between environmental inspectors' and environmental specialists' demographics:
| Environmental Inspector | Environmental Specialist | |
| Average age | 46 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 81.5% Female, 18.5% | Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 3.1% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 6.2% Asian, 5.0% White, 81.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 16% |