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Water inspector vs environmental health specialist

The differences between water inspectors and environmental health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a water inspector and an environmental health specialist. Additionally, an environmental health specialist has an average salary of $54,789, which is higher than the $44,203 average annual salary of a water inspector.

The top three skills for a water inspector include OSHA, construction projects and punch list. The most important skills for an environmental health specialist are environmental health, EHS, and OSHA.

Water inspector vs environmental health specialist overview

Water InspectorEnvironmental Health Specialist
Yearly salary$44,203$54,789
Hourly rate$21.25$26.34
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs20,66469,497
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

Water inspector vs environmental health specialist salary

Water inspectors and environmental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Water InspectorEnvironmental Health Specialist
Average salary$44,203$54,789
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $59,000Between $38,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-ICU Medical
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between water inspector and environmental health specialist education

There are a few differences between a water inspector and an environmental health specialist in terms of educational background:

Water InspectorEnvironmental Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorBiologyPublic Health
Most common college-University of California, Berkeley

Water inspector vs environmental health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between water inspectors' and environmental health specialists' demographics:

Water InspectorEnvironmental Health Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.0% Female, 15.0%Male, 62.8% Female, 37.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between water inspector and environmental health specialist duties and responsibilities

Water inspector example responsibilities.

  • Perform fit test, EPA regulate air sampling, training and scheduling and manage HealthRX database.
  • Conduct and report NPDES inspections.
  • Inspect for DNR violations relating to invasive species.
  • Collect, map and edit data points using Esri ArcMap GIS.
  • Identify BMP issues and coordinate with BMP installers to address items need to bring the site back into compliance
  • Investigate and document incidents using accurate and industry relate terminology to protect against lawsuits and to provide OSHA with additional information.
  • Show more

Environmental health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Help in managing the implementation of management systems meeting OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 standards.
  • Manage organization's injury/illness recordkeeping and handle worker's compensation claims.
  • Provide strategic leadership and work with management on identify EHS issues/recommendations/opportunities to foster continuous improvement of EHS programs and culture.
  • Maintain SDS and GHS programs.
  • Serve as an in-house expert for GHS - SDS and labeling issues.
  • Help integrate EHSMS internal audits with QMS internal audits for ISO 13485 and reviewing QSR.
  • Show more

Water inspector vs environmental health specialist skills

Common water inspector skills
  • OSHA, 21%
  • Construction Projects, 20%
  • Punch List, 11%
  • Construction Sites, 7%
  • NPDES, 6%
  • GIS, 5%
Common environmental health specialist skills
  • Environmental Health, 15%
  • EHS, 8%
  • OSHA, 7%
  • Hazardous Waste, 4%
  • Public Health, 3%
  • Risk Assessments, 3%

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