Transportation Inspectors

At a Glance

Examine a range of transportation vehicles to ensure safety
Keep detailed records
Often specialize in one type of transportation
Travel a considerable amount of the time
Train on the job
May need to be certified or licensed

Career summary

Transportation inspectors enforce safety rules that protect people and cargo. They inspect equipment and services and investigate accidents.

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Inspectors examine and test a range of transportation vehicles, including cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, and boats.

Inspectors make sure vehicles operate properly and safely. They may use remote scanners or attach cables to check vehicle emissions. They compare this data with standards for the vehicle.

Inspectors look for parts that are broken. They also watch gauges and meters while engines and other equipment are running to monitor systems. They review logs to check that maintenance has occurred on schedule.

Some inspectors check to see that freight is loaded properly. They advise crews on how to brace freight securely. They may also use road side scanners to see if trucks need follow up inspections. They make sure that loads are not too big or heavy.

Transportation inspectors check security systems that limit public access to aircraft, ships, and trains. They may report unsafe practices to the police. They also evaluate paperwork to ensure documentation is complete and thorough.

Transportation inspectors prepare reports of their findings for owners and compliance officers. They issue certificates of compliance, and in some cases, issue citations. Inspectors recommend changes and make sure that vehicle owners follow their recommendations. Transportation inspectors study safety laws and rules.

Inspectors investigate accidents, delays, and complaints. They often testify in court and public hearings on safety issues.

Inspectors usually specialize in one type of transportation, such as:

Aviation

Aviation inspectors oversee aircraft maintenance and safety. They check systems and mechanisms in airplanes and investigate accidents. They may also give pilot licenses to those who have completed all the necessary training.

Marine cargo

Marine cargo inspectors make sure that ships are loaded safely. They may also check shipping containers using x-ray scanners.

Rail

Rail inspectors look for problems in locomotives, rail cars, tracks, and roadbeds.

Motor vehicle

Motor vehicle inspectors check cars, trucks, and all their parts to be sure they meet safety standards.

Public transportation

Public transportation inspectors monitor and investigate passenger travel. They look into delays, complaints, equipment failures, and accidents.

Freight

Freight inspectors make sure loads are secure. They check temperatures and humidity to protect fruit and vegetables.

Related careers

This career is part of the Government and Public Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to transportation inspectors.

Inspect and test equipment and vehicles using scanners and other tools. Compare test results with the correct standards.
Check and monitor gauges, meters, and instruments in transportation equipment. Check fuel, exhaust, and emission control systems in cars and trucks.
Review maintenance schedules and logs.
Find after market changes made to cars and trucks. Decide how changes affect emissions.
Direct repairs and replacement of worn or defective equipment and parts. Inspect work of aircraft mechanics.
Recommend equipment upgrades and service improvements.
Determine the need to brace cargo and freight.
Advise crews how to load and unload, secure, and store materials and freight properly.
Analyze weight and volume of shipments so they do not overload vehicles.
Provide training and test workers who load and unload freight or maintain equipment.
Investigate complaints, delays, and accidents.
Document findings and keep records.
Give certificates of compliance or recommend corrective measures.
Follow up to see that owners carry out recommendations.
Prepare reports and submit findings to owners and transportation authorities.
Check on security of restricted access at airports, piers, vehicle storage yards, and rail yards.
Report violations to police and testify in court and at hearings.
Check temperature and humidity to protect fruit and other perishable freight.
Give pilot licenses, if working as an aviation inspector.

Common work activities

Transportation inspectors perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Get information needed to do the job
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Evaluate information against standards
Document and record information
Identify objects, actions, and events
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Make decisions and solve problems
Update and use job-related knowledge
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Explain the meaning of information to others
Perform activities that use the whole body
Analyze data or information
Process information
Establish and maintain relationships
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
Communicate with people outside the organization
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Use computers

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, transportation inspectors:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a medium to high level of social interaction. They talk to workers and passengers while inspecting equipment, but do spend some time alone writing reports.
Communicate on a daily basis by telephone, e-mail, letters, memos, and face-to-face discussions.
Often work as part of a team.
Are responsible for the health and safety of passengers and crew members.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which others may be unpleasant or angry.
Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.

Physical work conditions

Occasionally or often work outdoors, depending on the type of inspection they are doing. Sometimes work indoors to write reports and review records.
Are sometimes exposed to loud sounds and noises, especially in airports and train yards.
May work physically near others, such as when sharing work space.
Sometimes wear protective or safety gear.
Occasionally are exposed to contaminants.
May be exposed to hot or cold temperatures when working outdoors.
Sometimes are exposed to hazardous equipment.
May work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions, usually dependent on weather.
Sometimes must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.

Work performance

Must be exact and highly accurate in the job. Errors can have serious consequences, such as accidents and loss of life.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Make decisions on a daily basis that substantially impact customers, employees, and passengers. They almost always make decisions independently.
Must sometimes work with equipment that is automated.
Determine most of their daily tasks and goals independently.
Must meet strict deadlines.

Hours/travel

Travel a considerable amount of the time. Inspectors may be away from home for several weeks when investigating accidents, consulting, or attending conferences or trainings.
Sometimes work a regular 40-hour week. May work long and irregular hours, depending on their specialty.

Physical demands

Transportation inspectors frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for transportation inspectors to be able to:

See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand the speech of another person.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for transportation inspectors to be able to:

Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Determine the distance between objects.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.

Skills and abilities

Transportation inspectors need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand written information.
Write clearly so other people can understand.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.
Recognize the nature of a problem.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Manage the time of self and others.

Work with things

Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a transportation inspector, you typically need to:

have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

There are no formal training requirements beyond high school. However, a degree related to the type of vehicle you are inspecting can be an asset. For example, aircraft inspectors often have a degree in aircraft repair and experience as a mechanic.

Work experience

Most transportation inspectors have experience and knowledge in one or more areas of transportation. You can get the knowledge and experience by working in jobs in the industry.

On-the-job training

New inspectors work under the guidance of experienced inspectors. You may also receive formal classroom training. As you gain knowledge and experience, you work on more difficult inspections and have greater independence. Training may last up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate. You should consider taking Algebra and Geometry as your math courses and Chemistry and Physics as your science courses.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Computer Applications
Diesel Mechanics and Repair
Introduction to Mechanics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Many employers require work experience in one area of transportation.

Employers prefer to hire people who can communicate sensitive information in a friendly and tactful way. They prefer to hire people who have shown that they have good time-management skills. Inspectors need to work independently and to work cooperatively with others.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

# Took over national content as had info on some federal gov't jobs requiring passing Professional and Administrative Career Exam (PACE). However, online search appeared to indicate this exam no longer used so deleted statements regarding it. 2/21/17 cj.

Licensing/certification

Certification and licensing requirements vary according to the job. Aviation safety inspectors must have an Air Frame and Power Plant certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.

For more information, contact:

Federal Aviation Administration (external link)
800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20591

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

Transportation inspectors (SOC 53-6051)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$11.92	$22.49	$36.15	$47.68	$57.34
	Monthly	$2,066	$3,898	$6,265	$8,263	$9,937
	Yearly	$24,800	$46,780	$75,190	$99,170	$119,270
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$24.33	$26.86	$31.14	$44.54	$50.32
	Monthly	$4,216	$4,655	$5,397	$7,719	$8,720
	Yearly	$50,603	$55,858	$64,765	$92,639	$104,666
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$12.53	$27.87	$40.49	$51.18	$61.33
	Monthly	$2,171	$4,830	$7,017	$8,869	$10,628
	Yearly	$26,060	$57,981	$84,230	$106,463	$127,552
Vancouver	Hourly	$26.94	$30.19	$40.08	$54.60	$64.37
	Monthly	$4,669	$5,232	$6,946	$9,462	$11,155
	Yearly	$56,032	$62,783	$83,368	$113,556	$133,903
United States	Hourly	$13.88	$24.33	$35.47	$47.58	$59.61
	Monthly	$2,405	$4,216	$6,147	$8,246	$10,330
	Yearly	$28,870	$50,610	$73,780	$98,970	$123,980

Wages vary by specialty. Air safety investigators, aviation safety inspectors, and highway safety inspectors tend to earn the highest wages. Wages also vary by area of the country. In general, wages are higher in large cities where the cost of living is higher.

Most transportation inspectors work for government agencies and receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Transportation Inspectors (SOC 53-6051)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	1,126	12.7%	16.1%	142
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	22	13.6%	13.4%	2
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	10	0.0%	11.9%	1
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	34	5.9%	15.2%	4
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	32	3.1%	14.1%	3
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	29	3.4%	14.6%	3
King County	220	10.5%	19.6%	26
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	13	-7.7%	13.8%	1
Pierce County	463	17.9%	15.2%	64
Snohomish County	144	13.9%	12.4%	18
Spokane County	110	13.6%	13.9%	14
United States	30,700	3.9%	5.2%	3,300

National employment

All aviation inspectors work for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Major employers:

Federal, state, and government agencies
Railroad companies
Airlines
Airports

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to show about average growth. Most transportation inspectors work for government agencies. Public interest in safety and regulation, as well as funding determines much of the growth of this occupation. Much focus is on inspecting the cargo that is transported into the US.

The outlook depends on the level of business activity in different industries. For example, the trucking industry is growing rapidly, so the demand for these inspectors should grow as well. In contrast, the railroad industry is declining. Thus, the demand for railroad transportation inspectors should decrease.

Job openings occur as people leave the occupation to retire or for other reasons.

Other resources

Board of Certified Safety Professionals

Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20591
866.835.5322

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

References

Career cluster

Government and Public Administration

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zones

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.