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What is a weight inspector and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

A weight inspector spends their days weighing things, whether they are weighing packaged goods or trucks. They ensure that goods or vehicles fit underweight limits, as well as ensuring workplace and road safety. Weight inspectors know how to use industrial scales to measure weight. They need to have good mathematical skills in order to calculate what weight classes an object falls into.

Weight inspectors also need to have excellent organizational and analytical skills to properly document the weight of objects they are measuring, check registration, and enter data into computer systems. They usually work in manufacturing or for local government agencies that conduct inspections.

Many weight inspectors have a bachelor's degree in business or management. However, it is possible to succeed in this position with only a high school diploma. They usually have some practical experience in operations, for example, as an operations supervisor.

Weight inspectors earn an average salary of $50,534 a year, which can vary depending on where they live. For example, weight inspectors in Napa earn twice the national average.

ScoreWeight InspectorUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $49,000

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.4

Growth rate -4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.90%

Asian 3.43%

Black or African American 8.42%

Hispanic or Latino 13.14%

Unknown 5.75%

White 68.36%

Gender

female 21.78%

male 78.22%

Age - 52
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52
Stress level
7.4

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a weight inspector

  1. Explore weight inspector education requirements

    Most common weight inspector degrees

    Bachelor's

    47.6 %

    Associate

    30.2 %

    High School Diploma

    9.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific weight inspector skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Commodities33.08%
    AS40021.20%
    Propane11.54%
    Freight Carriers9.52%
    Physical Inspections7.72%
  3. Complete relevant weight inspector training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New weight inspectors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a weight inspector based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real weight inspector resumes.
  4. Research weight inspector duties and responsibilities

    • Manage cad files and plotting operations, as cad manager.
    • Test and inspect tank trucks, fuel oil trucks, propane trucks.
    • Document all corrections and enter all data into AS400 system timely and efficiently.
    • Train and instruct others in the group on the usage of AS400 system.
  5. Prepare your weight inspector resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your weight inspector resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a weight inspector resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable weight inspector resume templates

    Build a professional weight inspector resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your weight inspector resume.
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
    Weight Inspector Resume
  6. Apply for weight inspector jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a weight inspector job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first weight inspector job

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Average weight inspector salary

The average weight inspector salary in the United States is $49,000 per year or $24 per hour. Weight inspector salaries range between $27,000 and $85,000 per year.

Average weight inspector salary
$49,000 Yearly
$23.56 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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