Building inspectors are responsible for analyzing a building’s condition and spotting any flaws in its construction or potential problems. A building inspector may either perform regular checks on already-completed buildings, or provide constant supervision during the process of a building’s construction. Building inspectors can be employed by the government, where they’re tasked with inspecting certain government-related/owned buildings, or by private companies. Sometimes, building inspectors specialize in one single area of a building’s safety, with fire safety being the most popular one (other choices include an electrical or plumbing inspector).
High formal education isn’t normally required from potential building inspectors, though it can benefit the candidate if they have an education related to construction. Additionally, even though a building inspector’s job doesn’t normally involve any manual labor, having a background in construction work can be a huge plus for a candidate, as it demonstrates extensive knowledge of the construction process, and subsequently the safety procedures attached to it. Building inspectors need to display various personal traits such as a high degree of responsibility and situational awareness.
Building inspectors earn roughly the same whether they’re employed by the government or by a private company, though the prospects for career development for those in the private sector are usually higher. A building inspector can earn between $42,000 – $55,000 annually, and some are able to earn over $60,000 when employed by specific companies. The type of building being inspected usually affects the salary to a great extent, with the more demanding ones resulting in higher compensations for inspectors.