Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between plans examiners and bridge inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a plans examiner and a bridge inspector. Additionally, a plans examiner has an average salary of $59,697, which is higher than the $52,316 average annual salary of a bridge inspector.
The top three skills for a plans examiner include plumbing, customer service and life safety. The most important skills for a bridge inspector are DOT, asphalt, and construction inspection.
| Plans Examiner | Bridge Inspector | |
| Yearly salary | $59,697 | $52,316 |
| Hourly rate | $28.70 | $25.15 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 4,018 | 17,216 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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. Furthermore, as a plans examiner, it is essential to liaise with clients and other officials, maintain records of all transactions, and provide advice on whether the applications are suitable for permits.
Bridge inspectors are civil engineer construction specialists whose job is to assess the conditions of bridges, ensuring public safety. The inspectors inspect any damage and deterioration of the bridges, culverts, waterways, and trestles. They are familiar with the analysis system of load rating. Their job involves monitoring construction-related activities to make sure that contractors will comply with design drawings, safety requirements, and specifications. Also, they function as a liaison project engineer between the project and field engineer.
Plans examiners and bridge inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Plans Examiner | Bridge Inspector | |
| Average salary | $59,697 | $52,316 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $85,000 | Between $33,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairfield, CA | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Icma-rc | Parsons |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a plans examiner and a bridge inspector in terms of educational background:
| Plans Examiner | Bridge Inspector | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Architecture | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between plans examiners' and bridge inspectors' demographics:
| Plans Examiner | Bridge Inspector | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3% | Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 69.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |