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The differences between utility inspectors and housing 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 utility inspector and a housing inspector. Additionally, a housing inspector has an average salary of $47,599, which is higher than the $43,725 average annual salary of a utility inspector.
The top three skills for a utility inspector include pipeline construction, gas meters and backfill. The most important skills for a housing inspector are quality standards, safety issues, and plumbing.
| Utility Inspector | Housing Inspector | |
| Yearly salary | $43,725 | $47,599 |
| Hourly rate | $21.02 | $22.88 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 23,106 | 18,546 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A utility inspector is responsible for ensuring the safety of facilities and the stability of components and equipment that support daily operational functions. Utility inspectors inspect utility tools and equipment, conduct preventive maintenance, and identify inconsistencies for immediate repairs or replacement. They also handle the installation of new equipment and machinery, requiring them to have an excellent analysis of schematics and blueprints for accuracy. A utility inspector must have excellent mechanical and organizational skills, especially in writing incident reports and developing resolutions to avoid potential hazards and operational delays.
Housing Inspectors inspect the construction nature of the existing buildings. They examine the facilities and report on the general house condition, house damage, house defects, and no longer working components. Their primary duties include checking and conducting necessary testing of plumbing installations and existing electrical and checking existing houses to note and report fire hazards, structural defects, and other safety threats. Moreover, Housing Inspectors inspect homes on behalf of clients, assess them, and deliver reports about the property's physical condition.
Utility inspectors and housing inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Utility Inspector | Housing Inspector | |
| Average salary | $43,725 | $47,599 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $58,000 | Between $29,000 And $76,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Montana | California |
| Best paying company | RS&H | City of Detroit |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a utility inspector and a housing inspector in terms of educational background:
| Utility Inspector | Housing Inspector | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between utility inspectors' and housing inspectors' demographics:
| Utility Inspector | Housing Inspector | |
| Average age | 50 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.6% 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 Percentage | 5% | 5% |