What Construction and Building Inspectors do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Construction and Building Inspectors this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "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"; "Maintain daily logs and supplement inspection records with photographs"; "Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations"; "Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications"; "Measure dimensions and verify level, alignment, or elevation of structures or fixtures to ensure compliance to building plans and codes".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Construction and Building Inspectors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 153,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 153,900 in 2035, an increase of 0 jobs (0%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 14,800 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $74,690, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Construction and Building Inspectors earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $85,187 in New York to $86,439 in New Jersey, a gap of $1,252 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $74,690 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 14,550, which is 50.3% of the 28,920 counted across them. New York follows with 14,370.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($86,439) and New York ($85,187) lead the ranking, while New York ($85,187) and New Jersey ($86,439) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Frequently asked questions about Construction and Building Inspectors
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $74,690. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $85,187 to $86,439.
Which state pays Construction and Building Inspectors the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $86,439. New York is next at $85,187.
Is Construction and Building Inspectors a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to stay flat by 0% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 14,800 openings a year.
What education do Construction and Building Inspectors need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.