Weld inspector vs utility inspector

The differences between weld inspectors and utility inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a weld inspector has an average salary of $50,441, which is higher than the $43,725 average annual salary of a utility inspector.

The top three skills for a weld inspector include pipeline project, NDT and NDE. The most important skills for a utility inspector are pipeline construction, gas meters, and backfill.

Weld inspector vs utility inspector overview

	Weld Inspector	Utility Inspector
Yearly salary	$50,441	$43,725
Hourly rate	$24.25	$21.02
Growth rate	-3%	-4%
Number of jobs	16,559	23,106
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	45	50
Years of experience	-	6

Weld inspector vs utility inspector salary

Weld inspectors and utility inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Weld Inspector	Utility Inspector
Average salary	$50,441	$43,725
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $77,000	Between $32,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Montana
Best paying company	-	RS&H
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between weld inspector and utility inspector education

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

	Weld Inspector	Utility Inspector
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	San Diego State University

Weld inspector vs utility inspector demographics

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

	Weld Inspector	Utility Inspector
Average age	45	50
Gender ratio	Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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%
LGBT Percentage	4%	5%

Differences between weld inspector and utility inspector duties and responsibilities

Weld inspector example responsibilities.

Inspect all coating application to ensure proper application and WFT is achieved per clients and manufacturers specifications and standards.
Instruct current and new welders in drawing and WPS reading.
Monitor compliance with WPS, specifications, codes, and standards.
Review shop drawings while performing tasks according to specifications of SMAW type welding
Record all detail defects for use in the future with FDA regulations.
Inspect FBE coating on final bench and calibrations of all test equipment.

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.

Weld inspector vs utility inspector skills

Common weld inspector skills

Pipeline Project, 9%
NDT, 8%
NDE, 7%
Inspect Welds, 7%
PT, 6%
Tie-Ins, 5%

Common utility inspector skills

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