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Inspector vs safety inspector

The differences between inspectors and safety inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a safety inspector has an average salary of $48,765, which is higher than the $38,757 average annual salary of an inspector.

The top three skills for an inspector include sketch, good communication and magnetic particle. The most important skills for a safety inspector are OSHA, safety procedures, and safety inspections.

Inspector vs safety inspector overview

InspectorSafety Inspector
Yearly salary$38,757$48,765
Hourly rate$18.63$23.44
Growth rate-3%6%
Number of jobs17,67030,193
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4545
Years of experience-6

What does an inspector do?

An inspector is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the site, ensuring that it complies with the safety standards and regulations. Inspectors' duties include monitoring the quality of the materials used, inspecting any defects and discrepancies that might compromise the operations, generating reports to assess the product costing if it meets the budget goals, and utilizing available resources in the market for the highest quality project. An inspector must have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform comprehensive actions on risk management and service delivery.

What does a safety inspector do?

A safety inspector is in charge of performing inspections to ensure that workplaces comply with the company or government's safety standards and regulations. Their responsibilities include inspecting tools and equipment, reviewing documents and specifications, assessing the workforce performances and conditions, observing facilities, and ensuring that employees have protective gear and safety measure knowledge. Moreover, a safety inspector utilizes the findings of their observation to recommend methods that will help workplaces maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone. They may also investigate workplace incidents to keep them from happening again.

Inspector vs safety inspector salary

Inspectors and safety inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

InspectorSafety Inspector
Average salary$38,757$48,765
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $54,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateLouisianaAlaska
Best paying companyLos Alamos National LaboratoryVolkert
Best paying industryAutomotiveEnergy

Differences between inspector and safety inspector education

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

InspectorSafety Inspector
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inspector vs safety inspector demographics

Here are the differences between inspectors' and safety inspectors' demographics:

InspectorSafety Inspector
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 61.7% Female, 38.3%Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage4%7%

Differences between inspector and safety inspector duties and responsibilities

Inspector example responsibilities.

  • Follow all regulations including OSHA, safety, PPE, JSA and ISO.
  • Deliver thorough QA testing reports that determine product quality and release readiness.
  • Operate and maintain laboratory testing equipment; micrometers, calipers and air gauges to analyze material for conformance to product specifications.
  • Utilize maps and GPS and markers when need
  • Require knowledge of all safety measures and JSA's.
  • Shovel inspector for two 2300 MKII's and 7495 CAT/Bucyrus shovels.
  • Show more

Safety inspector example responsibilities.

  • Assist with ergonomics assessments, assist in managing HAZMAT and chemical storage programs, and evaluate fire prevention plans.
  • Complete workshop and laboratory equipment safety for all university buildings for compliance with OSHA and other appropriate regulations.
  • Investigate and document incidents using accurate and industry relate terminology to protect against lawsuits and to provide OSHA with additional information.
  • Upgrade and assist with the maintenance of the facility MSDS system, in particular the raw material MSDS's.
  • Detail record keeping of JSAs, tool, ladder and PPE inspections.
  • Participate in new equipment planning and installation team activities to include PSM processes documentation and validation i.e.

Inspector vs safety inspector skills

Common inspector skills
  • Sketch, 7%
  • Good Communication, 7%
  • Magnetic Particle, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Calipers, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
Common safety inspector skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Safety Inspections, 6%
  • Fire Protection, 5%
  • Safety Standards, 5%
  • Contractor Safety, 4%

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