Construction and Building Inspectors
Construction and building inspectors make sure structures are safe and meet requirements. They monitor construction sites, read blueprints, take measurements and oversee the installation of things in buildings.
If you are detail oriented, good at overseeing projects and using tools, you would probably do well as a construction and building inspector. People with this job have the important job of inspecting buildings to make sure they are safe, meet specifications and regulations, are structurally sound and meet building codes. They use their knowledge of engineering and they can choose to focus on a specific area, like electrical or plumbing, of a building.
Thanks to construction and building inspectors, we have safe and efficient highways, bridges, dams, heating systems, sewers, foundations, plumbing and wiring systems and electrical circuits.
As a construction and building inspector you could have a title like engineering technician, building or construction inspector, construction project supervisor, construction inspector, engineer, plumbing inspector, associate architect, building mechanical engineer or building code administrator.
Duties of construction and building inspectors include approving plans, reading blueprints, ensuring that construction methods meet regulations, measuring dimensions and making sure they comply with regulations, monitoring construction sites, overseeing the installation of appliances and wiring, keeping records and issuing violation notices.
With this job you will use things like levels, circuit testers, measuring wheels, torque meters and ultrasonic leak detectors on a daily basis. You will also use spreadsheet, map creation, word processing, compliance and data base user interface and query software.
To land this great job, you will need an associate’s degree so you will know all about design, mechanics, engineering, technology, physics, law and government, building and construction, customer service and public safety.
Job opportunities for construction and building inspectors are expected to increase quickly. The average hourly wage for people in this career is about $24 and the average annual income is about $50,000.