Building Inspection and Construction Inspection: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Building Inspection and Construction Inspection prepares professionals to ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards throughout the lifecycle of construction projects and existing structures. This program equips individuals with the technical expertise and analytical judgment required to evaluate building integrity, enforce code adherence, and promote safe, sustainable construction practices.
- Construction Processes and Techniques: Covers the step-by-step methods used in building development, from site preparation to final finishing, enabling inspectors to assess workmanship and procedural accuracy.
- Materials Analysis: Focuses on evaluating the performance, durability, and suitability of construction materials under real-world conditions and regulatory requirements.
- Occupational Safety and Health: Emphasizes the identification and mitigation of workplace hazards to protect workers and ensure compliance with OSHA and related safety regulations.
- Industry Standards and Building Codes: Provides in-depth study of nationally recognized codes, standards, and legal frameworks that govern structural design, fire safety, accessibility, and environmental performance.
- Blueprint and Technical Drawing Interpretation: Develops the ability to read and analyze architectural, structural, and mechanical plans to verify alignment with approved designs and specifications.
- Testing Equipment and Procedures: Trains in the use of specialized tools and methods for assessing structural integrity, material quality, and system functionality in both new and existing buildings.
- Communication and Documentation: Builds skills in reporting findings clearly and professionally, maintaining accurate records, and collaborating effectively with contractors, engineers, and regulatory agencies.
- Accident Investigation: Teaches systematic approaches to analyzing construction incidents to determine root causes and recommend preventive measures.
Building Inspection and Construction Inspection Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Building Inspection and Construction Inspection Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Building Inspection and Construction Inspection degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers and Construction and Building Inspectors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 943,290 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers 47-1011 | $78,690 | $51,290 - $126,690 | 806,080 | $37.83 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors 47-4011 | $72,120 | $46,560 - $112,320 | 137,210 | $34.67 |
Building Inspection and Construction Inspection Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $57,245 in Mississippi to $99,120 in California—a 73% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Alaska, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 943,290 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Building Inspection and Construction Inspection by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 33 institutions offering Building Inspection and Construction Inspection programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Building Inspection and Construction Inspection is found at Mesa Community College (MCC) (31 graduates), North Bennet Street School (NBSS) (27 graduates), Centralia College (18 graduates), Fullerton College (17 graduates), and Santiago Canyon College (SCC) (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 312 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
31 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| North Bennet Street School (NBSS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | nbss.edu |
| Centralia College |
Residency
Other Award
|
18 | Centralia, Washington | Public | centralia.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Santiago Canyon College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Orange, California | Public | sccollege.edu |
| Norco College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| Coastline Community College (CC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Fountain Valley, California | Public | coastline.edu |
| Chemeketa Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Salem, Oregon | Public | chemeketa.edu |
| York Technical College (York Tech) |
Other Award
|
13 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | yorktech.edu |
| North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) |
Other Award
|
12 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | nhcc.edu |
| Ventura College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Ventura, California | Public | venturacollege.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
10 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| College of San Mateo (CSM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | San Mateo, California | Public | collegeofsanmateo.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
10 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| Bellingham Technical College (BTC) |
Other Award
|
8 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | btc.edu |
| College of the Sequoias (COS) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Visalia, California | Public | cos.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Associate's
|
6 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Other Award
|
5 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Other Award
|
4 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Cosumnes River College (CRC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Sacramento, California | Public | crc.losrios.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| BridgeValley Community & Technical College (BVCTC) |
Associate's
|
3 | South Charleston, West Virginia | Public | bridgevalley.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
2 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| McHenry County College (MCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Crystal Lake, Illinois | Public | mchenry.edu |
| Arizona Western College (AWC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Yuma, Arizona | Public | azwestern.edu |
| Laney College |
Other Award
|
1 | Oakland, California | Public | laney.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
|
1 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Building Inspection and Construction Inspection programs
How much can I earn with a Building Inspection and Construction Inspection degree?
Salaries for Building Inspection and Construction Inspection graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn a median of $78,690 annually, while Construction and Building Inspectors earn around $72,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $99,120 compared to $57,245 in Mississippi. Approximately 943,290 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Building Inspection and Construction Inspection programs?
Currently 33 accredited institutions offer Building Inspection and Construction Inspection degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Mesa Community College (MCC) (31 graduates), North Bennet Street School (NBSS) (27 graduates), and Centralia College (18 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Building Inspection and Construction Inspection growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 448 in 2010 to 312 in 2023-24. This represents a 30% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Building Inspection and Construction Inspection degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers, Construction and Building Inspectors, . Related occupations employ approximately 943,290 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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