Occupation salary profile

Construction and Building Inspectors

SOC 47-4011 BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

National median · BLS
$74,690
▲ +3.56% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$77,730
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
146,720
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
Most jobs Loading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted) Loading…

Check your salary

Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Construction and Building Inspectors

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$47,140
25th$58,860
Median (50th)$74,690
75th$94,710
90th — top pay$114,200

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

Type in either box; the other updates instantly.

Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Construction and Building Inspectors

BLS projects employment of construction and building inspectors to grow 0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 14,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
153,900 → 153,900
+0 jobs
Projected change
+0%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
14,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Plus 5 years or more experience
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
3.3% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Construction and Building Inspectors

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension4.0
  • Critical Thinking3.9
  • Active Listening3.8
  • Speaking3.8
  • Complex Problem Solving3.4
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.4
  • Systems Evaluation3.3
  • Time Management3.3
  • Active Learning3.1
  • Persuasion3.1
Top knowledge areas
  • Building and Construction4.7
  • Public Safety and Security4.0
  • English Language4.0
  • Customer and Personal Service3.6
  • Design3.5
  • Law and Government3.5
  • Mathematics3.4
  • Administration and Management3.4
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordAutodesk AutoCADIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementSAP softwareArc Second PocketCADAutomated permit system softwareDatabase softwareEmail softwareESRI ArcViewInspection Depot Home Guide SystemMicrosoft ExchangeMicrosoft Internet Explorer

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What construction and building inspectors do

  • Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
  • Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
  • Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
  • 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.
  • Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
  • Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.
  • Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.
Also called
Building Code AdministratorBuilding InspectorBuilding OfficialConstruction InspectorCode Enforcement OfficerCode InspectorCombination Building InspectorElectrical InspectorPlumbing InspectorPublic Works Inspector
Specialties within this occupation
  • Energy Auditors
More job titles for this occupation (80)
Amusement Ride InspectorArchitectural ExaminerArchitectural InspectorBoiler InspectorBridge InspectorBuilding Code InspectorBuilding Equipment InspectorBuilding Performance ConsultantBuilding Science and Energy SpecialistBuilding ScientistCEI (Construction Engineering Inspector)Commercial Energy AuditorCommercial Energy RaterCommercial InspectorCompliance AnalystCompliance CoordinatorCompliance ManagerCompliance OfficerConstruction CheckerConstruction Code AdministratorDredging InspectorElectrical Construction InspectorElevator InspectorEnergy AdvisorEnergy AnalystEnergy and Building Systems SpecialistEnergy Audit AdvisorEnergy AuditorEnergy Conservation RepresentativeEnergy Conservation TechnicianEnergy ConsultantEnergy Control OfficerEnergy Efficiency AnalystEnergy Efficiency ConsultantEnergy Efficiency EngineerEnergy Efficiency Program ManagerEnergy Efficiency SpecialistEnergy Project ConsultantEnergy RaterEnergy SpecialistEngineering InspectorField InspectorGas InspectorGrade CheckerHeating and Refrigeration InspectorHighway InspectorHome Energy AuditorHome Energy InspectorHome Energy RaterHome Performance ConsultantHome Services InspectorHousing InspectorInfrastructure Technician (Infrastructure Tech)Inspecting EngineerInspectorLine InspectorLocator Technician (Locator Tech)Natural Gas InspectorPaving InspectorPermit SpecialistPipeline Construction InspectorPlan CheckerPlan ExaminerPlans ExaminerPressure Vessel InspectorProperty InspectorReal Estate InspectorRenewable Energy AnalystResidential Building InspectorRoad InspectorSafety InspectorSidewalk InspectorSite Damage Prevention Technician (Site Damage Prevention Tech)Steel Field Technician (Steel Field Tech)Street InspectorStreet Openings InspectorTransportation Construction InspectorUtility InspectorUtility LocatorWeight Inspector

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.