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Real estate inspector vs plans examiner

The differences between real estate inspectors and plans examiners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a real estate inspector and a plans examiner. Additionally, a real estate inspector has an average salary of $75,341, which is higher than the $59,697 average annual salary of a plans examiner.

The top three skills for a real estate inspector include inspection reports, property inspections and residential real estate. The most important skills for a plans examiner are plumbing, customer service, and life safety.

Real estate inspector vs plans examiner overview

Real Estate InspectorPlans Examiner
Yearly salary$75,341$59,697
Hourly rate$36.22$28.70
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs33,8634,018
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age5050
Years of experience66

Real estate inspector vs plans examiner salary

Real estate inspectors and plans examiners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Real Estate InspectorPlans Examiner
Average salary$75,341$59,697
Salary rangeBetween $53,000 And $106,000Between $41,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City-Fairfield, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Icma-rc
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between real estate inspector and plans examiner education

There are a few differences between a real estate inspector and a plans examiner in terms of educational background:

Real Estate InspectorPlans Examiner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessArchitecture
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Real estate inspector vs plans examiner demographics

Here are the differences between real estate inspectors' and plans examiners' demographics:

Real Estate InspectorPlans Examiner
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 83.8% Female, 16.2%Male, 73.7% Female, 26.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between real estate inspector and plans examiner duties and responsibilities

Real estate inspector example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish and submit financial reports to promote positive cash flow and return on investment (ROI).
  • Perform thorough state certify inspections of electrical, plumbing, structural, and mechanical systems with a high level of integrity.
  • Inspect: electrical, plumbing, foundation, roof, appliances, mold/mildew, windows, and structural integrity.
  • Work extensively through client Argus files in completing sensitivity analyses, re-building client valuations, and reconciling assumptions.
  • Work extensively through client Argus files in completing sensitivity analyses, re-building client valuations, and reconciling assumptions.

Plans examiner example responsibilities.

  • Manage high volume case assignments to a final disposition of abatement, civil summons, criminal arrests or referral.
  • Issue permits to trade contractors for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and building construction work.
  • Determine if licensee is compliant with the BSA, AML, UCC and NACHA operating rules.
  • Certify FBI digital evidence extraction technician.
  • Inspect HVAC system and insulation.
  • Ensure compliance with all applicable ADA and OSHA safety regulations.
  • Show more

Real estate inspector vs plans examiner skills

Common real estate inspector skills
  • Inspection Reports, 25%
  • Property Inspections, 22%
  • Residential Real Estate, 20%
  • Plumbing, 12%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • Ashi, 3%
Common plans examiner skills
  • Plumbing, 15%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Life Safety, 7%
  • Fire Protection, 5%
  • Community Development, 5%
  • International Building, 5%

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