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Boston Career Explorer

Construction and Extraction

Construction and Building Inspectors

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.

Also called: Building Code Administrator, Building Inspector, Building Official, Code Enforcement Officer, Code Inspector, Combination Building Inspector

Median pay in Greater Boston
$84,620
$40.69/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
2,950
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−1.0%
430 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training; 5 years or more of related work experience

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$50,330$65,990$84,620$104,830$124,900

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
  • Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
  • Issue permits for construction, relocation, demolition, or occupancy.
  • 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.
  • Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure50 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 54
  • Language-model AIOE 49
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 48

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is moderate, and observed AI use is some. AI tools may help with reviewing plans against codes, writing reports, and handling permit paperwork. They do not replace walking a site and judging whether work is safe and built correctly. Federal projections also expect more remote inspection technology, and Massachusetts employment is projected to fall 1.0%.

Likely to change

  • Reviewing plans against code requirements
  • Permit paperwork and inspection reports

Still relies on people

  • On-site inspections of structures and systems
  • Judgment calls on safety and approval

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as more remote inspection technology is used.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers

    Inspecting work and reading blueprints carry over directly. This job has projected growth of 7.9% and a Boston median pay of $99,890.

    Pay difference
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    AI exposure
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    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

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    Pay difference
    +$12,140 median
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    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    Following safety procedures and checking equipment carry over. This job has projected growth of 13.3% and a Boston median pay of $111,490.

    Pay difference
    +$26,870 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
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    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

1 program near Boston

Related occupations

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