How to hire a transportation inspector

How to hire a transportation inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step transportation inspector hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a transportation inspector job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new transportation inspector
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a transportation inspector do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the transportation inspector you need to hire. Certain transportation inspector roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A transportation inspector's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, transportation inspectors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of transportation inspectors.

   Type of Transportation Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Transportation Inspector		$13-36
   Valet Attendant	A valet attendant is an employee who is responsible for parking and retrieving vehicles of guests who visit an establishment. Since they are the first person that guests encounter, valet attendants must aim to make good first impressions through acknowledgment and pleasant exchange... Show more	$10-17
   Vehicle Inspector	Vehicle inspectors are professionals who are responsible for examining motor vehicles to ensure that they meet all the requirements established by the department of motor vehicles of a state. These inspectors are required to conduct safety and emissions inspections to make sure that all vehicles are following the emission standards and governmental regulations... Show more	$13-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Asphalt
   • ACI
   • OSHA
   • DOT
   • Inspection Reports
   • Construction Projects
   • Motor Vehicle
   • Safety Inspections
   • Commercial Vehicles

   Responsibilities:

   • Conduct dimensional and visual inspections procedures on CMM machines to ensure geometrical characteristics of the product are in specification.
   • Inspect certify pre own eligibility vehicles at Toyota and Lexus automotive dealers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the transportation inspector job description is a good way to get more applicants. A transportation inspector salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a transportation inspector in Maine may be lower than in New Jersey, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level transportation inspector. Additionally, a transportation inspector with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average transportation inspector salary

   $47,468yearly

   $22.82 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level transportation inspector salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average transportation inspector salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New Jersey	$67,297	$32
   2	Texas	$60,279	$29
   3	Florida	$56,053	$27
   4	Illinois	$52,592	$25
   5	Kansas	$52,558	$25
   6	New York	$52,427	$25
   7	Arkansas	$51,231	$25
   8	Georgia	$47,710	$23
   9	Delaware	$47,633	$23
   10	Oregon	$44,820	$22
   11	Massachusetts	$44,348	$21
   12	Pennsylvania	$43,866	$21
   13	Missouri	$43,674	$21
   14	West Virginia	$43,275	$21
   15	Arizona	$43,177	$21
   16	Minnesota	$41,836	$20
   17	South Carolina	$41,672	$20
   18	Virginia	$40,404	$19
   19	New Hampshire	$40,089	$19
   20	Tennessee	$39,802	$19

   Average transportation inspector salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	CDM Smith	$75,467	$36.28	398
   2	Jacobs Engineering Group	$73,224	$35.20
   3	STV Group	$72,881	$35.04	19
   4	Intertek	$62,288	$29.95	63
   5	City of San Antonio	$59,180	$28.45	3
   6	S&ME	$55,846	$26.85	66
   7	Kiewit	$53,016	$25.49	2
   8	Snc-lavalin Project Services, Inc.	$48,846	$23.48
   9	SGS	$48,753	$23.44	66
   10	Jacobs Enterprises	$47,900	$23.03	64

4. Writing a transportation inspector job description

   A job description for a transportation inspector role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a transportation inspector job description:

   Transportation inspector job description example

   S&ME is a leading, employee-owned, multi-disciplined professional services firm that responds to clients with innovative, sustainable solutions. S&ME strives to create an environment where everyone can be their best by providing a supportive atmosphere of entrepreneurial growth, to build growing relationships, and to take on increasingly complex project opportunities. We recruit top talent and are currently seeking a full-time CE&I HMA Inspector to join our Transportation Business Unit team for projects in the Charleston County, South Carolina area based out of our S&ME Charleston, SC office.
   Responsibilities: Perform technical duties associated with the oversight, administration and inspection of transportation projects, including inspection of asphalt materials at plant to determine contractor's compliance with the contract, plans and specifications; Observe and inspect various contractor's operations to include asphalt paving, traffic control, pavement marking, HMA plant inspection, etc.; Materials sampling and testing of asphalt, and aggregates; Responsible for performing, testing and problem-solving asphalt materials and job mix formulas related SCDOT specifications; Prepare material reports and daily diaries; Perform a variety of calculations, computations and documentation associated with the project inspection and material testing; Prepare field books for contractor payment documentation; Attend meetings and interact with third party construction personnel; Perform DBE and EEO compliance surveys.
   CE&I Inspectors are subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions and to various types of weather and field conditions, including heights, uneven terrain, highway traffic, hazards of highway construction sites and heavy equipment, and may travel/work extended hours, weekends and/or holidays.
   Pay rate is based on level of experience and applicable certifications held. Additional incentives are available for existing applicable certifications.
   At S&ME, it's not just a job, but a long and successful career. We offer training to support and encourage staff in obtaining certifications in the fields of aggregate, asphalt, soil and concrete. We also offer a Credential Incentive Program that rewards obtaining those certifications throughout the employee's career.
   Qualifications: High school diploma/GED required, 2-year technical degree in Civil Engineering Technology or Surveying Technology or higher, preferred; 2+ years of highway related construction or inspection experience preferred; SCDOT certification: HMA Level 1 QC Technician, required; One or more SCDOT certifications following: HMA Level 2 Job Mix Technician, HMA Level 3 QC Manager, Asphalt Roadway, Nuclear Gauge, Earthwork, Foundations and Portland Cement Concrete, preferred; Valid Driver's license and meeting S&ME DMV acceptable background requirements is a requirement of this position; Ability to lift between 40-50 lbs.; Math and technical writing skills.
   This is a full-time position with competitive pay based on experience. Successful candidate must meet requirements of the company's Fleet Management Program, Substance Policy and Reference check program. Submit resume, cover letter, and salary expectations for consideration. Only qualified candidates with acceptable employment eligibility verification (I-9) will be considered. Visa assistance not provided. S&ME reserves the right to fill this position with an internal or external candidate at any time during the search. S&ME is not responsible for unauthorized job postings or submissions of resumes using external links/websites.
   No candidate/recruiter calls, personal calls or walk-ins accepted.
   EOE including disability/vets VEVRAA Federal Contractor
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find transportation inspectors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any transportation inspectors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level transportation inspectors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your transportation inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit transportation inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit transportation inspectors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new transportation inspector

   Once you've selected the best transportation inspector candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a transportation inspector?