Inspects boilers and pressure vessels in factories, hospitals, schools and power plants to prevent explosions and confirm they meet code. BLS does not publish separate figures for construction and building inspectors; it counts them within construction and building inspector (SOC 47-4011), whose median pay is $74,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-4011
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Boiler Inspector in four numbers
- Median pay
- $74,690a year, or $35.91/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $114K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- 0.0%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career0%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career 0% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 14,800153,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025153.9K
- Projected 2035153.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 153.9K Projected 2035 153.9K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school36%
- Certificate36%
- Some college4%
- Associate's4%
- Bachelor's16%
- Master's4%
Highest education held by construction and building inspectors Segment Value High school 36% Certificate 36% Some college 4% Associate's 4% Bachelor's 16% Master's 4%
Also advertised as: Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspector, Commissioned Boiler Inspector, Authorized Inspector, Inservice Inspector, State Boiler Inspector.
Pay
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors make?
Every boiler inspector in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$74,690
Middle half earn $58,860 to $94,710
- 10th
- $47,140
- 25th
- $58,860
- 75th
- $94,710
- 90th
- $114,200
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,140 |
| 25th | $58,860 |
| Median | $74,690 |
| 75th | $94,710 |
| 90th | $114,200 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $74,690
- Median hourly wage
- $35.91/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $77,730
- People employed
- 146,720
Versus all US occupations
At $74,690, Construction and Building Inspectors earn 47% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $23,710 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 24% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $114,200 or more while the bottom 10% earn $47,140, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 49% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $102,410, and still leads at $100,050 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Construction and Building Inspectors the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $102,410 | $100,050 | 270 |
| 2California | $101,290 | $91,483 | 13,420 |
| 3Connecticut | $98,670 | $95,232 | 1,430 |
| 4Washington | $96,140 | $89,840 | 3,090 |
| 5Minnesota | $88,670 | $89,910 | 1,390 |
| 6District of Columbia | $86,200 | $78,434 | 370 |
| 7Oregon | $84,510 | $81,762 | 1,780 |
| 8Massachusetts | $83,200 | $78,671 | 4,290 |
| 9New Jersey | $81,760 | $75,144 | 5,950 |
| 10Colorado | $79,950 | $77,582 | 3,700 |
Job outlook
Is Boiler Inspector a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. 0.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | 0% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Construction and Building Inspectors to change 0.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 0 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 14,800 openings are projected each year, 9.6% of the 153,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Boiler Inspector
Boiler inspectors usually come from hands-on backgrounds such as boiler operation, stationary engineering, naval engineering, boilermaking or welding. The key credential is a commission from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, either the Inservice commission for operating equipment or the Authorized Inspector commission for new construction.
To earn a commission, a candidate must be employed by an authorized inspection agency or jurisdiction, meet education and experience requirements, attend National Board training and pass its examination. Many states then require their own certificate of competency before an inspector can work there.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as construction and building inspectors.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)36%
- Post-Secondary Certificate36%
- Bachelor's Degree16%
- Some College Courses4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 36% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 36% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 16% |
| Some College Courses | 4% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Boiler Inspector do?
Boiler inspectors examine boilers, pressure vessels and related piping to make sure they can safely hold pressure and heat. They inspect equipment when it is built, after repairs and alterations, and at regular intervals while it is in service, looking for corrosion, cracking, bulging, scale, leaking safety valves and faulty controls.
They apply the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code during construction and the National Board Inspection Code for equipment already in service. Inspectors work for state and city boiler programs, for insurance companies that cover the equipment, or for manufacturers' authorized inspection agencies. They certify equipment, write reports, and order repairs or shutdowns when conditions are unsafe.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect boilers and pressure vessels internally and externally
- Apply the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and National Board Inspection Code
- Test safety valves, low-water cutoffs and operating controls
- Witness hydrostatic tests and approve repairs and alterations
- Issue certificates of operation or order equipment out of service
- Review manufacturer data reports and repair documentation
- Investigate boiler accidents and failures
- Write inspection reports for owners, insurers and jurisdictions
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Boiler inspectors travel to many sites, including factories, refineries, hospitals, schools and apartment buildings. They crawl into boilers and vessels that have been shut down and cooled, work in hot, dirty mechanical rooms and confined spaces, and wear protective equipment. Hours are usually regular, with occasional emergency calls after accidents.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Writing3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Mathematics3.0
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4
- Systems Evaluation3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Persuasion3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Negotiation3.0
- Instructing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Negotiation | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Compliance software
- Data base reporting software
- Data base user interface and query software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Boiler Inspector?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RCI) built on O*NET's Construction and Building Inspector profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Boiler Inspector |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.2
- Conventional5.5
- Investigative4.4
- Enterprising2.1
- Social1.5
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Boiler Inspector
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More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with construction and building inspectors highlighted
- Boiler Inspector$74,690
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Boiler Inspector | $74,690 |
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Boiler Inspector appears on
Questions
Boiler Inspector: frequently asked questions
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for construction and building inspectors. It counts them within construction and building inspector, whose median pay is $74,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $58,860 and $94,710, and the top 10% earn $114,200 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Boiler Inspector?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Construction and Building Inspectors. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 36.0% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Boiler Inspector a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.0% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 14,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Boiler Inspector do?
Boiler inspectors examine boilers, pressure vessels and related piping to make sure they can safely hold pressure and heat. A typical task: inspect boilers and pressure vessels internally and externally. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Construction and Building Inspectors the most?
The highest state medians for Construction and Building Inspectors are Alaska ($102,410), California ($101,290), Connecticut ($98,670) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Boiler Inspector?
O*NET scores Construction and Building Inspectors highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.