Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between project supervisors and construction inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a project supervisor, becoming a construction inspector takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a project supervisor has an average salary of $53,609, which is higher than the $52,306 average annual salary of a construction inspector.
The top three skills for a project supervisor include project management, customer service and safety standards. The most important skills for a construction inspector are asphalt, ACI, and construction inspection.
| Project Supervisor | Construction Inspector | |
| Yearly salary | $53,609 | $52,306 |
| Hourly rate | $25.77 | $25.15 |
| Growth rate | 8% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 20,450 | 42,007 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 46 | 50 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A project supervisor is someone employed in industries like engineering, construction, manufacturing, as well as design and marketing industries to coordinate all aspects of a project. Common duties include participating in project planning, acting as a communication liaison, coordinating labor needs, and training employees. They meet with the account manager to assess and understand the client's needs and budget for the project. Together with the supply chain manager, they facilitate the purchasing and delivery of supplies needed to complete the project. Additionally, they make sure the project is completed on time and within budget.
A construction inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.
Project supervisors and construction inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Supervisor | Construction Inspector | |
| Average salary | $53,609 | $52,306 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $97,000 | Between $36,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | Union City, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Pacific Gas and Electric | Orange County Sanitation District |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Professional |
There are a few differences between a project supervisor and a construction inspector in terms of educational background:
| Project Supervisor | Construction Inspector | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Civil Engineering |
| Most common college | - | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between project supervisors' and construction inspectors' demographics:
| Project Supervisor | Construction Inspector | |
| Average age | 46 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6% | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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 | 2% | 5% |