How to hire a field inspector

How to hire a field inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step field inspector hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a field inspector job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new field inspector
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a field inspector do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The field inspector hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A field inspector's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, field inspectors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of field inspectors.

   Type of Field Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Field Inspector	Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and national building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.	$14-37
   Construction Analyst	A Construction Analyst prepares statements, annual financial reports, exhibits, transmittal letters, schedules, statistical tables, management analysis, and management discussion. They handle business forecast analysis, cash flow projection analysis, statistical report analysis, government requirement analysis, financial plan analysis, budget analysis, and forecast analysis... Show more	$25-56
   Plans Examiner	A plans examiner is typically in charge of evaluating construction or work plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and zoning ordinances. Their responsibilities revolve around gathering and reviewing applications and documentation, verifying the accuracy and authenticity of requirements, and assuring that they adhere to the safety policies and standards... Show more	$19-40

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Sketch
   • Inspection Reports
   • Asphalt
   • Ladders
   • GPS
   • OSHA
   • Construction Projects
   • Data Entry
   • Roofing
   • Real Estate
   • Construction Inspection
   • Inspection Services
   • Photo Documentation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage RFI files and records.
   • Manage and inspect fiber optic cable placement, fiber drop installations and associate construction activities for an assign OSP project.
   • Conduct tests such as, but not limit to, all common ACI field tests, all common ASTM laboratory tests.
   • Inspect the exterior and interior, including attach buildings, plumbing, HVAC systems, electrical system, attic and roof.
   • Perform interior and exterior BPO's.
   • Utilize ArcMap software to generate GIS mapping.

   More field inspector duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the field inspector job description is a good way to get more applicants. A field inspector salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a field inspector in Oklahoma may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level field inspector. Additionally, a field inspector with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average field inspector salary

   $49,794yearly

   $23.94 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level field inspector salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average field inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$73,308	$35
   2	New Jersey	$64,424	$31
   3	Connecticut	$60,089	$29
   4	Rhode Island	$58,755	$28
   5	West Virginia	$58,679	$28
   6	Washington	$57,693	$28
   7	New York	$57,139	$27
   8	New Mexico	$54,792	$26
   9	North Carolina	$52,475	$25
   10	Arkansas	$52,324	$25
   11	Michigan	$51,209	$25
   12	Alabama	$50,885	$24
   13	Maryland	$50,097	$24
   14	Ohio	$49,731	$24
   15	Illinois	$49,609	$24
   16	Texas	$49,585	$24
   17	Iowa	$49,437	$24
   18	Wyoming	$48,186	$23
   19	Florida	$47,379	$23
   20	Colorado	$46,928	$23

   Average field inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cohesity	$112,219	$53.95
   2	Jacobs Engineering Group	$73,293	$35.24
   3	National Grid plc	$72,258	$34.74	1
   4	EXL	$68,761	$33.06	132
   5	ANSER	$66,612	$32.02
   6	Willdan	$66,590	$32.01	48
   7	Parsons	$66,322	$31.89	85
   8	Intertek	$64,809	$31.16	69
   9	Stantec	$63,646	$30.60	175
   10	Orbital Engineering	$63,432	$30.50	16
   11	Rollins	$63,395	$30.48	10
   12	Veolia Water Tech	$61,720	$29.67	7
   13	TRC Companies	$60,363	$29.02	37
   14	JEO Consulting Group	$59,072	$28.40	1
   15	Bureau Veritas	$57,587	$27.69	153
   16	American Water	$55,382	$26.63	11
   17	Washington State University	$54,999	$26.44
   18	Consultant Engineering	$54,266	$26.09	19
   19	Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers	$54,054	$25.99	10
   20	Clean Harbors	$53,851	$25.89	289

4. Writing a field inspector job description

   A job description for a field inspector role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a field inspector job description:

   Field inspector job description example

   Queens, NY 11105

   @Orchard LLC has an immediate opening to support a well-established solutions provider within the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure sector to identify multiple Construction Field Inspectors to support their work in New York City. If you are an experienced Construction Field Supervisor with expertise in overseeing multiple sites, then our client has a challenge for you. Period of Performance is 6 Months with potential extension beyond the said period and a strong possibility for an FTE opportunity after 6 months on the contract.

   Description:

   Our client is looking for Field Inspectors to oversee construction work in the 5 boroughs of New York City. The scope will include overseeing infrastructure repair and construction activities, documenting personnel and payment quantities, and communicating directly with the client construction managers.

   Responsibilities:

   The Field Inspectors will work closely with our client who has contractors that will be doing the construction work under direct contract with the client. That work will consist of repairs to existing subsurface utilities and infrastructure. Given that the client's contractors perform the construction work under established unit rates, it will be the responsibility of the Field Inspectors to document payment quantities for the client such as the number of personnel, excavation volumes, material quantities, etc. The client will use this documentation to justify the payment of the contractor's invoices. The Field Inspector will act as the client's representative on the project and communicate directly to the client regarding work progress. The client’s construction managers will periodically visit the project sites.

   Skills/Experience Required:

   • At least 3 years and not more than 5 years of experience in the construction industry overseeing projects or related work experience.
   • Ability to travel within the NYC area without relying on public transportation.
   • Must be a local to NYC area or surrounding area.
   • Construction experience within New York City area is highly preferred, but not mandatory.
   • Ability to work well within the team.
   • HAZWOPER Certification is a plus.
   • 30-hr OSHA construction certification is a plus.

   If you are excited by this opportunity and believe you have the experience and talent to be a success in the role, we need to hear from you!

   Established in 2010, @Orchard LLC, also known as, Talent Orchard has an exceptional reputation, providing staffing solutions to time-sensitive, talent scarcity issues to deliver better talent management ROI. Our specialty lies in the critical area of program talent acquisition and resource management, not in one narrow skillset, but across many areas of technical and functional delivery. To learn more about our other exciting opportunities, visit our Jobs Page at www.at Orchard.com .

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find field inspectors for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your field inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit field inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with field inspector candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new field inspector

   Once you've selected the best field inspector candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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