Construction and Building Inspectors
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to grow over the next decade, with about 5,482 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 70% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Approve building plans that meet required specifications.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Review and interpret plans, blueprints, site layouts, specifications, or construction methods to ensure compliance to legal requirements and safety regulations.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Identify and prioritize energy-saving measures.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Prepare audit reports containing energy analysis results or recommendations for energy cost savings.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Identify any health or safety issues related to planned weatherization projects.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Tasks AI can't do much of
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.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Monitor installation of plumbing, wiring, equipment, or appliances to ensure that installation is performed properly and is in compliance with applicable regulations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Inspect and monitor construction sites to ensure adherence to safety standards, building codes, or specifications.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Confer with owners, violators, or authorities to explain regulations or recommend remedial actions.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Measure energy usage with devices such as data loggers, universal data recorders, light meters, sling psychrometers, psychrometric charts, flue gas analyzers, amp probes, watt meters, volt meters, thermometers, or utility meters.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
Very similar workslightly less pay3,557 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$79,594 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
New skills to build
- Installation
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment Selection
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Very similar work+20% pay3,228 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 20% more—$98,294 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Mechanical
New skills to build
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Coordination
- Administration and Management
Electricians
Very similar workslightly less pay5,682 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$80,881 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Building and Construction
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Troubleshooting
- Installation
- Equipment Maintenance
- Extent Flexibility
Industrial Production Managers
Very similar work+63% pay457 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 63% more—$132,662 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
New skills to build
- Production and Processing
- Management of Financial Resources
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Chemistry
- Management of Material Resources
Transportation Inspectors
Similar work+17% pay517 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 17% more—$95,467 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.
Skills you already have
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
New skills to build
- Transportation
- Production and Processing
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Similar work+21% pay1,913 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 21% more—$98,402 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Education and Training
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
Somewhat similar work+75% pay508 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 75% more—$142,573 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Telecommunications
Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Somewhat similar work+2% pay952 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 2% more—$83,629 vs your $81,618 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Mechanical
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Repairing
- Equipment Maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Finger Dexterity
- Dynamic Strength