Public Works Inspector
Impact: Safety and Quality
Inspects public works projects, such as streets, water, sewer, and storm drain systems, to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, ordinances, and regulations. This role involves site visits, documentation, and communication with contractors and city personnel to maintain safety and quality standards.
What the day looks like
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- Balanced
- Client facing
- Always
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Frequent local travel to various job sites
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40 hours/week
- Stress level
- Moderate
At a glance
- Median salary
- $72,120
- Entry-level
- $55,000
- Senior
- $95,000
- Growth by 2033
- 3%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- Moderate
- Typical student debt
- $20,000 - $40,000
Skills you'll use
Hard skills
- Construction Inspection
- Blueprint Reading
- Regulatory Compliance
- Report Writing
Soft skills
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
Technical complexity: High
How to get there
- Minimum education
- Associate's degree or vocational training; some positions may require a Bachelor's degree
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 5
- Years to senior
- 10
- Career switching
- Moderate
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
Where you can go from here
Typical progression
- Public Works Inspector I
- Public Works Inspector II
- Senior Public Works Inspector
- Public Works Manager
Future outlook
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
How people feel about it
- Overall satisfaction
- 7/10
- Meaning
- 7.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 6.5/10
- Prestige
- 6.5/10
- Social perception
- High