Occupation

Construction and Building Inspectors

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
3 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

Also Known As: Amusement Ride Inspector, Architectural Examiner, Architectural Inspector, Boiler Inspector, Bridge Inspector, Building Code Administrator, Building Code Inspector, Building Equipment Inspector +52 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
  2. Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
  3. Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
  4. Inspect bridges, dams, highways, buildings, wiring, plumbing, electrical circuits, sewers, heating systems, or foundations during and after construction for structural quality, general safety, or conformance to specifications and codes.
  5. Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
  6. Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
  7. Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.
  8. Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.
  9. Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.
  10. Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.
  11. Train, direct, or supervise other construction inspectors.

Supplemental Tasks (8)

  1. Monitor construction activities to ensure that environmental regulations are not violated.
  2. Evaluate project details to ensure adherence to environmental regulations.
  3. Inspect facilities or installations to determine their environmental impact.
  4. Examine lifting or conveying devices, such as elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, hoists, inclined railways, ski lifts, or amusement rides to ensure safety and proper functioning.
  5. Conduct environmental hazard inspections to identify or quantify problems, such as asbestos, poor air quality, water contamination, or other environmental hazards.
  6. Estimate cost of completed work or of needed renovations or upgrades.
  7. Evaluate premises for cleanliness, such as proper garbage disposal or lack of vermin infestation.
  8. Sample and test air to identify gasses, such as bromine, ozone, or sulfur dioxide, or particulates, such as mold, dust, or allergens.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Inspect structures to determine cause and origin of damage.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
36%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
36%
Bachelor's Degree
16%
Some College Courses
4%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4%
Master's Degree
4%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
  • SAP software

Software (33)

  • Arc Second PocketCAD
  • Automated permit system software
  • Calendar and scheduling software
  • Database software
  • ESRI ArcView
  • Email software
  • Inspection Depot Home Guide System
  • Internet browser software
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Mobile building inspection software
  • Municipal geographic management software
  • New construction inspection form software
  • NorthWest Builders Network Plan Analyst
  • OptaSoft Commercial Building Inspector
  • Oracle Primavera Systems
  • Quicken
  • Real estate and tax software
  • Residential home inspection form software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Trimble Digital Fieldbook
  • Vision Software
  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (95)

  • 10-key calculators
  • Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Air sampling devices
  • Air sampling pumps
  • Air velocity and temperature meters
  • Airflow meters
  • Arc receptacle testers
  • Architects' scales
  • Asphalt thermometers
  • Automatic levels
  • Axes
  • Borescopes
  • Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Chlorine meters
  • Circuit analyzers
  • Clamp-on multimeters
  • Combustible gas detectors
  • Computerized data collectors
  • Concrete strength measurers
  • Concrete testers
  • Conductivity meters
  • Continuity testers
  • Cordless drills
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital multimeters
  • Dissolved oxygen meters
  • Distance measuring wheels
  • Drafting tools
  • Electrical circuit testers
  • Electronic distance measuring equipment
  • Electronic levels
  • Engineering scales
  • Force gauges
  • Gas leak detection devices
  • Ground fault circuit interrupter GFCI testers
  • Ground resistance testers
  • Handheld thermometers
  • Hydrometers
  • Hygrometers
  • Infrared thermometer lasers
  • Inspection mirrors
  • Insulation testers
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser fiches
  • Laser measuring devices
  • Laser printers
  • Levels
  • Light meters
  • Lock levels
  • Magnetic locators
  • Manometers
  • Map wheels
  • Megohmeters
  • Microwave leakage detectors
  • Moisture meters
  • Multimeters
  • Non-contact infrared thermometers
  • Notebook computers
  • Optical levels
  • Optical scanners
  • Plumb bobs
  • Pocket personal computers PC
  • Pounds per square inch PSI test gauges
  • Power analyzer dataloggers
  • Pressure gauges
  • Probe rods
  • Programmable calculators
  • Radon detection devices
  • Refrigerant leak detectors
  • Refrigeration thermometers
  • Scanners
  • Screwdrivers
  • Shovels
  • Spectrometers
  • Stud locators
  • Surface thermometers
  • Tablet computers
  • Tape measures
  • Temperature/humidity testers
  • Theodolites
  • Torque meters
  • Transit levels
  • Two way radios
  • Ultrasonic leak detectors
  • Ultrasonic thickness gauges
  • Vibration meters
  • Video inspection cameras
  • Volt-ammeters
  • Voltage testers
  • Water pressure gauges
  • Water quality test kits
  • Wearable mobile inspection computers
  • pH meters

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Zone 3
Construction and Building Inspectors You are here

Construction Planning & Development Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
Construction and Building Inspectors You are here
Zone 4

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Real Talk

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