Construction and Building Inspectors
SOC Code: 47-4011 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Construction and Building Inspectors. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $73,362 | $98,946 | $124,550 | $150,134 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,339 | $96,387 | $118,435 | $140,483 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $69,098 | $91,021 | $112,965 | $134,888 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,978 | $86,466 | $106,974 | $127,462 |
| Vallejo, CA | $72,571 | $88,670 | $104,790 | $120,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,568 | $81,099 | $100,630 | $120,162 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,152 | $80,725 | $100,318 | $119,891 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $66,290 | $83,512 | $100,734 | $117,957 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $71,469 | $86,694 | $101,899 | $117,125 |
| Napa, CA | $70,013 | $85,467 | $100,942 | $116,397 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 | |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.2 | |
| Time Management | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Building and Construction | 4.7 |
| Public Safety and Security | 4.0 |
| English Language | 4.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.6 |
| Law and Government | 3.5 |
| Design | 3.5 |
| Mathematics | 3.4 |
| Administration and Management | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 36.0% |
| Some college | 36.0% |
| Bachelor's degree | 16.0% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Associate's degree | 4.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.0% |
Typical Tasks
- 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.
- Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
- Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
- Train, direct, or supervise other construction inspectors.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Autodesk AutoCAD Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management SAP software Arc Second PocketCAD Automated permit system software Calendar and scheduling software Database software ESRI ArcView
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