Utility inspector vs project inspector

The differences between utility inspectors and project 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 project inspector. Additionally, a project inspector has an average salary of $68,048, 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 project inspector are construction projects, asphalt, and traffic control.

Utility inspector vs project inspector overview

	Utility Inspector	Project Inspector
Yearly salary	$43,725	$68,048
Hourly rate	$21.02	$32.72
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	23,106	58,403
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	6	6

Utility inspector vs project inspector salary

Utility inspectors and project inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Utility Inspector	Project Inspector
Average salary	$43,725	$68,048
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $58,000	Between $38,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	Sacramento, CA	Olympia, WA
Highest paying state	Montana	Washington
Best paying company	RS&H	Colonial Pipeline
Best paying industry	Technology	-

Differences between utility inspector and project inspector education

There are a few differences between a utility inspector and a project inspector in terms of educational background:

	Utility Inspector	Project Inspector
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Business	Civil Engineering
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Utility inspector vs project inspector demographics

Here are the differences between utility inspectors' and project inspectors' demographics:

	Utility Inspector	Project Inspector
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%	Male, 90.2% Female, 9.8%
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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 3.4% White, 68.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between utility inspector and project inspector duties and responsibilities

Utility inspector example responsibilities.

Remain compliant with API 1104 and Enogex WPS's and manage technical documents and information sharing.
Inspect all coating application to ensure proper application and WFT is achieved per clients and manufacturers specifications and standards.
Document heat numbers of pipe and x-ray numbers and GPS coordinates of welds.
Conduct internal quality audits to ensure compliance with all FAA, EASA, OSHA and ISO regularity compliance.
Perform inspection and classification of various construction materials and construction activities including installation of asphalt, concrete, and soil foundations.
Ensure contractors have and used PPE.

Project inspector example responsibilities.

Manage third party contractors including safety oversight, environmental design specification compliance, and similar construction specifications and requirements.
Work with OSHA as immediate response of safety issues at nuclear power plants.
Coordinate with designers drawing clarification's and RFI's to ensure contractor work progress.
Verify NCDOT bridge design plans to ensure span lengths, materials, and directions match with WIGINSinformation.
Assist with payroll functions including collecting time sheets, entering time and attendance information into automated database and disbursing paychecks.
Maintain and create engineering blue prints using AutoCAD.

Utility inspector vs project inspector skills

Common utility inspector skills

Pipeline Construction, 18%
Gas Meters, 12%
Backfill, 11%
Safety Procedures, 6%
Utility Poles, 5%
DOT, 4%

Common project inspector skills

Construction Projects, 12%
Asphalt, 8%
Traffic Control, 8%
Inspection Reports, 7%
DOT, 7%
Construction Management, 7%