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Residential building inspector vs electrical inspector

The differences between residential building inspectors and electrical 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 residential building inspector and an electrical inspector. Additionally, a residential building inspector has an average salary of $48,597, which is higher than the $43,943 average annual salary of an electrical inspector.

The top three skills for a residential building inspector include sketch, windows and plumbing. The most important skills for an electrical inspector are inspection reports, electrical equipment, and electrical code.

Residential building inspector vs electrical inspector overview

Residential Building InspectorElectrical Inspector
Yearly salary$48,597$43,943
Hourly rate$23.36$21.13
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs28,74542,321
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age5050
Years of experience66

What does a residential building inspector do?

A residential building inspector is in charge of ensuring that residential properties comply with the national building codes and construction requirements. They visit residential establishments and conduct thorough inspections to determine if the structure complies with safety and quality standards. They are also responsible for producing reports, recommending action plans, and discussing procedures with clients. Moreover, a residential building inspector maintains an active communication line with staff, all while adhering to the agency's policies and regulations.

What does an electrical inspector do?

An electrical inspector ensures that an establishment's wiring and other electrical components are working properly and hazard free for those who will occupy the space. The tasks of being an electrical inspector include determining electrical hazards and checking if there are any uncovered permanent or if there are any outdated wiring. They test the safety switches and examine the power box, and test the place's lighting and source of power. Their responsibilities may involve the evaluation of the electrical service's level especially the DIY wiring and noting and testing of smoke alarm location. Also, they make sure that all electrical items in the area comply with government regulations.

Residential building inspector vs electrical inspector salary

Residential building inspectors and electrical inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential Building InspectorElectrical Inspector
Average salary$48,597$43,943
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $82,000Between $28,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City-Hollister, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-City of Detroit
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between residential building inspector and electrical inspector education

There are a few differences between a residential building inspector and an electrical inspector in terms of educational background:

Residential Building InspectorElectrical Inspector
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversityPurdue University

Residential building inspector vs electrical inspector demographics

Here are the differences between residential building inspectors' and electrical inspectors' demographics:

Residential Building InspectorElectrical Inspector
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.1% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.4% White, 69.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between residential building inspector and electrical inspector duties and responsibilities

Residential building inspector example responsibilities.

  • Lead site excavations, form structuring, and supervise concrete pours.
  • Perform residential building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections.
  • Pass all require residential building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspector exams.
  • Conduct inspections of newly build or previously own homes, condominiums, town homes, manufacture homes.

Electrical inspector example responsibilities.

  • Manage high volume case assignments to a final disposition of abatement, civil summons, criminal arrests or referral.
  • Observe and in force all NEC and OSHA requirement for the duration of the project.
  • Repair mechanical and electrical components according to OSHA safety regulations.
  • Verify the installation of all material as per clients specs and to NEC code.
  • Conduct skil technical building code inspections and apply practices of building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical.
  • Program and troubleshoot verses types PLC's & HMI's systems and automatic transfer switches for generator control systems.
  • Show more

Residential building inspector vs electrical inspector skills

Common residential building inspector skills
  • Sketch, 39%
  • Windows, 10%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Residential Buildings, 9%
  • Inspection Process, 8%
  • HVAC, 6%
Common electrical inspector skills
  • Inspection Reports, 8%
  • Electrical Equipment, 7%
  • Electrical Code, 7%
  • Electrical Installation, 6%
  • OSHA, 6%
  • Electrical Construction, 5%

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