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Residential building inspector vs engineering construction inspector

The differences between residential building inspectors and engineering construction 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 engineering construction inspector. Additionally, an engineering construction inspector has an average salary of $51,630, which is higher than the $48,597 average annual salary of a residential building inspector.

The top three skills for a residential building inspector include sketch, windows and plumbing. The most important skills for an engineering construction inspector are construction projects, construction sites, and asphalt.

Residential building inspector vs engineering construction inspector overview

Residential Building InspectorEngineering Construction Inspector
Yearly salary$48,597$51,630
Hourly rate$23.36$24.82
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs28,74595,430
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
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 engineering construction inspector do?

Typically, an engineering construction inspector is in charge of the environmental and engineering needs of any building. Engineering construction inspectors perform inspection on the electrical, plumbing, and other related systems to ensure code compliance. They review building plans to ensure their compliance with local ordinances, contract specifications, and building codes. It is their job to keep everyday logs such as inspection photographs. They monitor the construction sites on a periodical basis.

Residential building inspector vs engineering construction inspector salary

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

Residential Building InspectorEngineering Construction Inspector
Average salary$48,597$51,630
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $82,000Between $35,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City-Eugene, OR
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Jacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between residential building inspector and engineering construction inspector education

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

Residential Building InspectorEngineering Construction Inspector
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessCivil Engineering
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Residential building inspector vs engineering construction inspector demographics

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

Residential Building InspectorEngineering Construction Inspector
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 90.9% Female, 9.1%
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, 8.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between residential building inspector and engineering construction 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.

Engineering construction inspector example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate, manage, and conduct geotechnical engineering and engineering geology subsurface investigations.
  • Inspect general construction, plumbing, and electrical.
  • Calculate quantities of asphalt and concrete place and remove from construction job sites on a monthly basis.
  • Perform density tests, earthwork monitoring, geotechnical investigations.
  • Inspect entire asphalt paving operations and concrete to assure conformity to specifications.
  • Inspect installation of mechanical and plumbing systems to comply with construction drawings and specifications.
  • Show more

Residential building inspector vs engineering construction inspector skills

Common residential building inspector skills
  • Sketch, 39%
  • Windows, 10%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Residential Buildings, 9%
  • Inspection Process, 8%
  • HVAC, 6%
Common engineering construction inspector skills
  • Construction Projects, 12%
  • Construction Sites, 11%
  • Asphalt, 9%
  • ACI, 7%
  • Highway Construction, 7%
  • Construction Engineering, 6%

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