What does an Inspector do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an Inspector do

An inspector is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the site, ensuring that it complies with the safety standards and regulations. Inspectors' duties include monitoring the quality of the materials used, inspecting any defects and discrepancies that might compromise the operations, generating reports to assess the product costing if it meets the budget goals, and utilizing available resources in the market for the highest quality project. An inspector must have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform comprehensive actions on risk management and service delivery.

On This Page

Inspector responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real inspector resumes:

  • Follow all regulations including OSHA, safety, PPE, JSA and ISO.
  • Deliver thorough QA testing reports that determine product quality and release readiness.
  • Operate and maintain laboratory testing equipment; micrometers, calipers and air gauges to analyze material for conformance to product specifications.
  • Utilize maps and GPS and markers when need
  • Require knowledge of all safety measures and JSA's.
  • Shovel inspector for two 2300 MKII's and 7495 CAT/Bucyrus shovels.
  • Sketch info of houses, aerial and or underground telephone, electric lines if need.
  • Inspected/Cleane drilling pipes at rig site, resurface pipes with hand drill, unload pipe utilizing forklift
  • Inspect, monitor and GPS recording of all water installations to ensure compliance with requirements and specifications.
  • Position require expertise in reading blueprints, schematics, and deciphering part requirements as well as proficient math skills.
  • Rig down and drive back to shop where the pod is washed and clean to get ready for next job.
  • Identify trends and frequency of trends to resolve issues; make presentations to company owner, senior management and FAA representative.
  • Review all aerospace parts against print and manufacturing process requirements.
  • Inspect blade interiors meticulously utilizing NDT equipment and accurately document findings to ensure exceptional quality control products.
  • Perform AOI (automate optical inspection) test examining areas where an inspector s eye might miss, improving quality control.

Inspector skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Inspectors are proficient in Sketch, Good Communication, and Magnetic Particle. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Inspectors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Sketch, 7%

    Upload information using Loss Control 360 software and Rapid Sketch

  • Good Communication, 7%

    Maintained good communication throughout an entire shift with upper management/weld line regarding the condition of the pipe.

  • Magnetic Particle, 6%

    Contributed expertise in the utilization of magnetic particle inspection and dielectric test inspection techniques for telephone bucket trucks.

  • Customer Service, 6%

    Certified Emissions Inspector/Customer Service Representative - Responsible for testing vehicles for emission related problems while following EPA rules and regulations.

  • Calipers, 6%

    Utilized Computer Measuring machine, microscopes, calipers and micrometers.

  • Safety Standards, 5%

    Performed DOT sanctioned safety inspections to ensure vehicles complied with state and national Department of Transportation safety standards.

Most inspectors use their skills in "sketch," "good communication," and "magnetic particle" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential inspector responsibilities here:

Math skills. Another essential skill to perform inspector duties is math skills. Inspectors responsibilities require that "knowledge of basic math is important for measuring, calibrating, and calculating specifications in quality control testing." Inspectors also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "trained a new inspector for cmm gear geometry inspections. "

Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of inspectors is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday inspector duties, as "quality control inspectors use tools and machinery when testing products." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "perform routine manual or mechanical production checks to guarantee functions necessary to operate the production equipment to meet customer specifications. "

Physical strength. inspector responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "quality control inspectors may be required to lift or maneuver heavy production materials or finished products." This resume example shows what inspectors do with physical strength on a typical day: "performed visual and physical inspection of vhs cassettes to guarantee quality standards. "

Technical skills. Another crucial skill for an inspector to carry out their responsibilities is "technical skills." A big part of what inspectors relies on this skill, since "to ensure that products and parts meet quality standards, inspectors must understand the relevant blueprints, technical documents, and manuals." How this skill relates to inspector duties can be seen in an example from an inspector resume snippet: "approved or rejected work accomplished by mechanics to ensure compliance with customer specifications, operational standards and technical data. "

Most common inspector skills

The three companies that hire the most inspectors are:

Choose from 10+ customizable inspector resume templates

Build a professional inspector resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your inspector resume.
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume
Inspector Resume

Compare different inspectors

Inspector vs. Quality assurance inspector

Quality Assurance Auditors are employees who ensure the adherence of other employees to company processes and guidelines. They are expected to be experts on quality assurance processes and procedures. They also have in-depth knowledge of the expected outcomes of such processes to ensure that the company only provides quality products and services. Quality assurance auditors are also familiar with regulatory laws and policies of governing bodies that oversee companies in their particular industry. They ensure that their companies are compliant and may conduct random quality checks every now and then.

The annual salary of quality assurance inspectors is $1,915 lower than the average salary of inspectors.Even though inspectors and quality assurance inspectors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require magnetic particle, calipers, and safety standards in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, inspector responsibilities require skills like "sketch," "good communication," "customer service," and "inspection process." Meanwhile a typical quality assurance inspector has skills in areas such as "micrometers," "basic math," "gmp," and "inspection procedures." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Quality assurance inspectors tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $48,138. In contrast, inspectors make the biggest average salary, $47,091, in the automotive industry.quality assurance inspectors tend to reach similar levels of education than inspectors. In fact, quality assurance inspectors are 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Inspector vs. Quality control inspector

Quality control associate scientist roles require good observation, critical thinking, and communication skills, in addition to knowledge of procedures and chemistry. They assist in laboratory experiments and research, while working in a team or independently. Working with the lead scientist, associates may compile reports of their data findings.

On average, quality control inspectors earn a $3,739 lower salary than inspectors a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both inspectors and quality control inspectors have skills such as "magnetic particle," "calipers," and "safety standards. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that inspector responsibilities requires skills like "sketch," "good communication," "customer service," and "safety procedures." But a quality control inspector might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "quality products," "micrometers," "inspection procedures," and "qa."

Quality control inspectors may earn a lower salary than inspectors, but quality control inspectors earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $42,355. On the other hand, inspectors receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $47,091.In general, quality control inspectors achieve similar levels of education than inspectors. They're 0.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Inspector vs. Test operator

The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement. Additionally, you will assemble electronics in their boxes and notify the quality/test engineer if the test yields below the acceptable levels.

An average test operator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of inspectors. The difference in salaries amounts to test operators earning a $3,166 lower average salary than inspectors.inspectors and test operators both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "safety procedures," "quality standards," and "iso," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from inspector resumes include skills like "sketch," "good communication," "magnetic particle," and "customer service," whereas a test operator is more likely to list skills in "hand tools," "test procedures," "safety rules," and "math. "

Test operators make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $44,634. On the other hand, inspectors are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $47,091.Most test operators achieve a similar degree level compared to inspectors. For example, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Inspector vs. Construction inspector

A construction inspector is an individual who is responsible for inspecting construction sites to ensure that these sites are following local and building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications. Construction inspectors use survey equipment, metering devices, and test equipment to perform inspections of plumbing, electrical and other systems within the construction. They approve building plans that are satisfactory and issue violation notices and stop orders when there are violations. Construction inspectors also keep photographs taken during inspections and provide written documentation.

Construction inspectors typically earn higher pay than inspectors. On average, construction inspectors earn a $13,549 higher salary per year.According to resumes from inspectors and construction inspectors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sketch," "safety standards," and "inspection reports. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between inspectors and construction inspectors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an inspector might have more use for skills like "good communication," "magnetic particle," "customer service," and "calipers." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of construction inspectors require skills like "asphalt," "aci," "construction inspection," and "construction projects. "

The professional industry tends to pay the highest salaries for construction inspectors, with average annual pay of $62,629. Comparatively, the highest inspector annual salary comes from the automotive industry.The average resume of construction inspectors showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to inspectors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

What an Inspector Does FAQs

Search for inspector jobs

Loading...
Loading...

Browse production and manufacturing jobs