How to become a Construction and Building Inspector
Official title: Construction and Building Inspectors
Also called: Building Code Administrator, Building Inspector, Building Official, Code Enforcement Officer, Code Inspector, Combination Building Inspector, Construction Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Public Works Inspector
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
How to become one
Construction 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.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector.
- Apprenticeship: Field Tech Concrete/Masonry Inspect.
- Apprenticeship: Inspector, Building.
- Licence: A licence is required in 40 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $74,690 a year The middle half earn $58,860 to $94,710.
- About 153,900 people work in this job now, and about 153,900 are projected by 2035. (+0%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
- Energy Auditors
- Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
- Fence Erectors
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Highway Maintenance Workers
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Construction and Building Inspector?
Construction 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.
How much does a Construction and Building Inspector earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $74,690 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $58,860 to $94,710.
Is a Construction and Building Inspector a growing career in the US?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2035: about 153,900 people now and 153,900 later (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Construction and Building Inspector?
Not always. 28% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector.
Will AI change the work of a Construction and Building Inspector?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the 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.