How to hire a lead inspector

How to hire a lead inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step lead 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 lead inspector job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new lead inspector
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your lead inspector job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a lead inspector for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect lead inspector also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of lead inspectors.

   Type of Lead Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Inspector	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	$16-35
   Test Operator	The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement... Show more	$12-23
   Quality Assurance Inspector	Quality Assurance Auditors are employees who ensure the adherence of other employees to company processes and guidelines. They are expected to be experts on quality assurance processes and procedures... Show more	$12-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • NDT
   • API
   • NDE
   • Inspection Reports
   • III
   • Corrective Action
   • ISO
   • Aerospace
   • PT
   • Inspection Process
   • Test Results
   • CMM
   • Quality Issues
   • R

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage survey crews on prelim route survey, and HDD core sample crews.
   • Coordinate joint surveys with SATORP inspectors and manage clearance of all issue active LBE and NCR.
   • Authore numerous new corporate NDT procedures, update procedures and administer all NDE corporate activities.
   • Comply with all AS9100 and NADCAP requirements.
   • Inspect articles to correct design, tooling and jigs.
   • Total of 7 HDD crossings and 2 major highway crossings.

   More lead inspector duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead inspector job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A lead inspector salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a lead inspector in North Carolina may be lower than in Connecticut, and an entry-level lead inspector usually earns less than a senior-level lead inspector. Additionally, a lead inspector with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average lead inspector salary

   $51,148yearly

   $24.59 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead inspector salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average lead inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$71,408	$34
   2	Washington	$66,214	$32
   3	Massachusetts	$65,531	$32
   4	California	$61,202	$29
   5	Arizona	$55,423	$27
   6	District of Columbia	$54,842	$26
   7	New York	$54,552	$26
   8	Nevada	$54,441	$26
   9	Texas	$52,588	$25
   10	Oklahoma	$52,113	$25
   11	Illinois	$51,344	$25
   12	Idaho	$50,439	$24
   13	Colorado	$49,894	$24
   14	Missouri	$47,556	$23
   15	Florida	$47,387	$23
   16	Kentucky	$47,249	$23
   17	Tennessee	$45,997	$22
   18	Indiana	$45,333	$22
   19	North Carolina	$43,964	$21
   20	Georgia	$40,563	$20

   Average lead inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Parsons	$66,323	$31.89	81
   2	Fortune Brands Home & Security	$64,329	$30.93
   3	Pfizer	$60,779	$29.22
   4	TRC Companies	$57,058	$27.43	33
   5	Aurora Flight Sciences	$56,286	$27.06	4
   6	Lockheed Martin	$55,879	$26.86	44
   7	SpaceX	$55,571	$26.72	18
   8	Safran	$55,319	$26.60	29
   9	TranSystems	$54,799	$26.35
   10	Swagelok Company	$54,685	$26.29
   11	General Dynamics	$54,243	$26.08	42
   12	Raytheon Technologies	$54,236	$26.07	21
   13	Kaman	$53,965	$25.94
   14	Belcan	$53,088	$25.52	21
   15	MetalTek International	$52,520	$25.25	1
   16	Cabot Microelectronics	$52,151	$25.07
   17	Wsp USA Buildings Inc.	$51,691	$24.85	136
   18	SMC	$51,606	$24.81	6
   19	Culp	$51,371	$24.70	1
   20	AAR	$50,637	$24.34	36

4. Writing a lead inspector job description

   A job description for a lead 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 lead inspector job description:

   Lead inspector job description example

   Meaningful Work From Day One
   This position will communicate with mill and operations' management, analyze inventory and production data, and evaluate available wood inventory supplies to plan and perform stave/heading inspection and purchasing activities. Evaluates industry trends, inventories, and other pertinent data in recommending and establishing material prices for both sales and purchasing quotas. Provides input into budget and operations' planning and manages operations within established budgets. Ensures inspection/procurement activities adhere to all applicable local, state, federal regulatory, environmental, legal and Brown-Forman policies and requirements. Establishes standards for safety, quality and productivity and performs to or manages areas of responsibility to these standards. As the stave inspector lead, provides coaching, counsel and direction to vendors and procurement personnel.
   
   • Conducts physical inspection / evaluation of stave and heading for purchase from external vendors or internal mills.
   • Communicates with mill and operations' management, analyzes inventory and production data, and evaluates available wood inventory supplies to plan and perform stave/heading inspection and purchasing activities.
   • Evaluates industry trends, inventories, and other pertinent data in recommending and establishing material prices for both sales and purchasing quotas.
   • Provides input into budget and operations' planning and manages operations within established budgets.
   • Ensures inspection/procurement activities adhere to all applicable local, state, federal regulatory, environmental, legal and Brown-Forman policies and requirements.
   • Establishes standards for safety, quality and productivity and performs to or manages areas of responsibility to these standards.
   
   This is a remote/home workstyle position within in a couple of hours driving time to Louisville, KY and will have high travel specifically in KY, TN, IN and MO (potentially additional states).
   
   What You Can Expect
   
   • Coordinates with the head inspector, individual mill managers and outside vendor mills to schedule, conduct and report stave/heading inspections, "take-ups". 60%
   
   • Follows standards and practices and completes record keeping, data and information gathering and other administrative tasks and duties accurately and in a timely manner. 10%
   
   • Develops, cultivates, and maintains long-term relationships with wood industry suppliers, vendors and regulatory officials and negotiates and cultivates long-term procurement agreements with suppliers. 10%
   
   • Assists in log procurement activities and directly purchases, scales, measures, and arranges log purchases as needed. Coordinates log, stave and heading transportation and delivery to mill sites as needed. 5%
   
   • Provides input and feedback into quality of stave / heading evaluation standards and policy for stave inspections (and log grading as required) and recommends guidelines for stave, heading and log purchases, pricing and inspection and manages operations to ensure goals and guidelines are achieved. 5%
   
   • Stays abreast of local, state, federal or other regulatory, environmental, legal or transportation rules and requirements and operates to comply with all applicable procedures. 5%
   
   • Establishes and follows safety standards and working practices and procedures in areas of responsibility and performs to those standards. 5%
   
   We Are Looking For People Who
   
   Have a Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Biology, or similar field with at least 3 years' experience in hardwood procurement OR 8+ years log/stave procurement and/or stave inspection experience specializing in white oak or a combination of commensurate education and experience such as lumber grading. Broad-based knowledge of forestry practices and procedures, logging and timber harvesting practices, hardwood markets and trends, wood technology and general knowledge of wood handling equipment and procedures. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision. Excellent interpersonal and negotiating skills. Ability to travel in a 10-state area up to 80% of the time. Skills: Working knowledge of Google and Microsoft programs, Multi-Tasking Ability, Negotiation Skills, Oral & Written Communication Skills and Analytical Skills. Job Competencies: Planning, Strategic Thinking, Judgment and Project Management.
   
   What You Can Add To The Team
   
   Ten or more years' experience in the cooperage industry with stave inspection and log buying experience.
   
   Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.
   
   Business Area: Global Production
   
   City:
   Louisville
   
   State: Kentucky
   
   Country: USA
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find lead 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 lead inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit lead inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit lead inspectors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   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 lead inspector

   Once you have selected a candidate for the lead inspector position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new lead inspector. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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