Overview
SourcedInspect 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.
O*NET definition of Construction and Building Inspectors (SOC 47-4011) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Occupation figures cover every job classified under SOC 47-4011, including Code Enforcement Officer.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Construction and Building Inspectors (SOC 47-4011) naming each level as required to be hired, 25 respondents, O*NET survey August 2024. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedConstruction and building inspectors usually need a high school diploma and work experience in a construction trade to enter the occupation. They typically learn on the job to attain competency. Many states and localities require some type of license or certification.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Construction and Building Inspectors”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 47-4011
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialCivil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / Assistant
- Level I
- Level II (journey)
- Level III / Senior
- Lead / Principal
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director / Division Chief
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 2,710 | $67,290 | $78,850 | $91,170 | $106,330 | $122,930 |
| State | 5,710 | $50,440 | $59,970 | $74,090 | $93,530 | $110,520 |
| Local | 53,920 | $48,750 | $60,010 | $73,990 | $89,080 | $105,990 |
| All government | 62,350 | $49,040 | $60,390 | $74,930 | $92,430 | $108,060 |
| Private sector | 84,370 | $45,750 | $57,430 | $74,620 | $96,060 | $120,610 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2024). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Approve building plans that meet required specifications.4.5
- Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.4.5
- Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.4.3
- 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.4.3
- Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.4.2
- Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.4.1
- Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.4.1
- Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes.3.9
- Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs.3.8
- Conduct inspections, using survey instruments, metering devices, tape measures, or test equipment.3.7
The 10 most important of 11 core tasks for Construction and Building Inspectors, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2024.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Commercial Building Inspector Certification Exam (B2) Duration 3:30; 80 questions. | International Code Council (ICC) | US | certification | Official page |
| ICC Residential Building Inspector Certification Exam (B1) Duration 2:00; 60 questions. | International Code Council (ICC) | US | certification | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
IAPMO UMC Residential and Commercial Mechanical InspectorEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IAPMO UPC Residential and Commercial Plumbing InspectorEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner (21)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Commercial Building Inspector (B2) Certification ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Commercial Combination Inspector (C5)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Commercial Electrical Inspector (E2)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Commercial Energy Inspector (67)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M2)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P2)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Residential Building Inspector (B1)Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Residential Combination Inspector (R5)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Residential Electrical Inspector (E1)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner (Exam 79)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Residential Mechanical Inspector (M1)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
State versions: 1 state. Pick yours:
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Construction and Building Inspectors (SOC 47-4011) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 270 | $73,550 | $102,410 | $124,840 |
| California | 13,420 | $56,220 | $101,290 | $161,550 |
| Connecticut | 1,430 | $65,140 | $98,670 | $129,830 |
| Washington | 3,090 | $63,840 | $96,140 | $121,700 |
| Minnesota | 1,390 | $61,610 | $88,670 | $112,420 |
| District of Columbia | 370 | $68,120 | $86,200 | $131,810 |
| Oregon | 1,780 | $60,970 | $84,510 | $115,910 |
| Massachusetts | 4,290 | $50,330 | $83,200 | $123,400 |
| New Jersey | 5,950 | $48,880 | $81,760 | $126,400 |
| Colorado | 3,700 | $54,290 | $79,950 | $121,740 |
| New York | 11,160 | $51,540 | $79,460 | $134,430 |
| Hawaii | 710 | $53,590 | $79,320 | $99,600 |
| North Dakota | 180 | $55,150 | $78,570 | $100,390 |
| Illinois | 2,560 | $47,600 | $78,340 | $119,650 |
| Rhode Island | 270 | $57,950 | $77,420 | $110,940 |
| Maryland | 2,780 | $53,610 | $76,640 | $110,250 |
| Montana | 290 | $49,840 | $75,700 | $100,850 |
| Virginia | 6,550 | $50,090 | $75,660 | $104,480 |
| Wisconsin | 1,270 | $47,290 | $75,610 | $101,240 |
| Nevada | 1,780 | $55,510 | $75,290 | $105,490 |
| Maine | 710 | $48,340 | $74,670 | $102,500 |
| Ohio | 3,490 | $50,440 | $74,490 | $100,290 |
| Utah | 1,240 | $48,690 | $74,130 | $99,630 |
| Arizona | 3,330 | $55,310 | $73,440 | $105,980 |
| Delaware | 570 | $52,350 | $72,700 | $95,690 |
| Iowa | 1,140 | $47,470 | $71,630 | $90,380 |
| Michigan | 3,090 | $47,100 | $71,040 | $95,980 |
| Louisiana | 1,440 | $47,450 | $68,260 | $95,400 |
| Florida | 13,860 | $45,460 | $68,170 | $100,280 |
| Vermont | 120 | $49,350 | $66,580 | $92,110 |
| North Carolina | 6,490 | $46,840 | $66,080 | $95,220 |
| Georgia | 4,510 | $46,070 | $65,980 | $100,450 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,320 | $48,610 | $65,870 | $93,790 |
| New Hampshire | 420 | $45,070 | $65,640 | $88,610 |
| New Mexico | 800 | $48,350 | $65,420 | $94,870 |
| Nebraska | 570 | $45,910 | $65,000 | $90,880 |
| South Dakota | 200 | $47,670 | $64,940 | $89,050 |
| Texas | 18,230 | $43,220 | $64,810 | $105,160 |
| West Virginia | 540 | $34,090 | $64,000 | $92,930 |
| Idaho | 1,000 | $48,840 | $63,570 | $102,000 |
| Kansas | 840 | $48,170 | $63,150 | $91,420 |
| Missouri | 1,640 | $46,980 | $62,970 | $87,690 |
| Indiana | 2,110 | $44,540 | $62,850 | $94,350 |
| Wyoming | 370 | $35,920 | $61,870 | $93,470 |
| Alabama | 1,420 | $46,010 | $61,300 | $85,770 |
| Kentucky | 1,380 | $37,140 | $60,200 | $97,670 |
| Tennessee | 2,500 | $38,670 | $59,870 | $84,600 |
| Oklahoma | 2,090 | $41,410 | $59,280 | $94,850 |
| South Carolina | 2,500 | $36,140 | $58,840 | $84,860 |
| Arkansas | 800 | $39,450 | $52,700 | $81,340 |
| Mississippi | 800 | $35,600 | $50,250 | $76,400 |
51 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules