Construction Inspection Careers
Accuracy and precision are extremely important during the construction of buildings and public structures. Subsequently, organizations hire construction inspectors to ensure that safety and quality standards are followed and project specifications are met. Industries ranging from government to engineering hire construction inspectors to examine office buildings, streets, sewage systems and bridges.
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Function
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Construction inspectors assess whether buildings and other structures meet or violate established local building codes, zoning laws and other safety regulations. They issue notices and stop-work orders if a building fails to meet required specifications. Construction inspectors also review electrical wiring systems; test equipment functionality and safety; measure structural dimensions; and record calculations, photographs and other observations in daily logs. When selecting career paths, professionals can choose to specialize in the inspection of steel or reinforced-concrete structures.
Education
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The minimum educational requirement for construction inspectors is a high-school diploma. Candidates who have completed college coursework or hold an associate's degree in areas such as building inspection, construction technology or home inspection have a competitive advantage, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Moreover, students looking to pursue a career in construction inspection can obtain a certificate or two-year degree in building inspection technology.
Although on-the-job training is common, most building inspectors must have a strong knowledge of legal codes, ordinances, record keeping and building standards. State certification or licensure is typically required. Professional associations including the International Code Council and International Association of Plumbing offer certification programs for construction inspectors (see Resources).
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Salary
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The average salary of construction and building inspectors in the U.S. was $53,550 according to a May 2009 BLS report. Building inspection salaries varied considerably across different industries. For example, construction inspectors working in credit intermediation firms reported annual wages of $71,610. In comparison, workers employed by the federal government averaged $65,670. Local and state government construction inspectors averaged $53,800 and $48,960 respectively. Building and construction inspectors working in elementary and secondary schools reported an average salary of $64,660.
Potential
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Construction inspector jobs will grow 17 percent through the year 2018, according to the BLS. Job growth will be driven by government legislation, and public concern over building safety and security. New and emerging technologies such as building information modeling software will also help improve the speed and accuracy of inspections. Other factors that will drive employment include an increased focus on energy efficiency and sustainable design, and building compliance in locations susceptible to natural disasters. Professionals with extensive work experience, professional certification and educational training in architecture, engineering and construction technology will have the best job opportunities.
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References
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