What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Transportation Inspectors in the U.S. earn more than $92,100 a year — the middle 80% land between $40,330 and $138,670. About 24,500 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Transportation Inspectors”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$92,100typical pay / year
24,500people in this work
$138,670+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Protecting1
Ensure vehicles meet regulatory standards
+Document the inspection findings for unit VIN 1HGBH41JXMN109186, verify brakes, lights, emissions and safety…
Ensure vehicles meet regulatory standards
+Document the inspection findings for unit VIN 1HGBH41JXMN109186, verify brakes, lights, emissions and safety recalls meet federal standards, note any defects that require out-of-service tagging, and submit the completed compliance record to the regional safety file by Friday.
The tools that do the workInspection Selection System ISSESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record1
Prepare reports on inspections and investigations
+Draft the investigation report for inspection case 2026-0427 covering defects found on vehicle VIN…
Prepare reports on inspections and investigations
+Draft the investigation report for inspection case 2026-0427 covering defects found on vehicle VIN 1HGBH41JXMN109186, include photos, measured brake and emission readings, reference applicable federal regulations, recommended corrective actions, and send the final report to the safety manager and audit team by Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Coordinate1
Use tools and equipment to perform inspections
+Perform a hands-on inspection of unit VIN 3C6JR6AT0EG123456 using the diagnostic scanner and calibrated gauge…
Use tools and equipment to perform inspections
+Perform a hands-on inspection of unit VIN 3C6JR6AT0EG123456 using the diagnostic scanner and calibrated gauge set, record torque, brake pad thickness, fluid levels and emissions readings on the inspection sheet, flag any safety-critical failures for immediate remediation, and upload the completed checklist to the case file today.
The tools that do the workDiagnostic scannerjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work17
Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections.
+Attach the onboard diagnostics cable to the vehicle's OBDII port, confirm ignition is on and VIN matches the…
Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections.
+Attach the onboard diagnostics cable to the vehicle's OBDII port, confirm ignition is on and VIN matches the registration, record live fault codes and readiness monitors, then complete the emissions inspection form and sign it before leaving.
The tools that do the workDiagnostic scannerO*NET
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Examine carrier operating rules, employee qualification guidelines, or carrier training and testing programs for compliance with regulations or safety standards.
+Review the carrier's operating rules, qualification files, and training records against current federal…
Examine carrier operating rules, employee qualification guidelines, or carrier training and testing programs for compliance with regulations or safety standards.
+Review the carrier's operating rules, qualification files, and training records against current federal safety standards, note any noncompliance with specific citation numbers, prepare a findings memo and recommend corrective actions for the safety manager.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Monitor transportation systems for safety compliance
+Patrol the assigned route and check buses and trucks for required safety equipment, driver credentials, and…
Monitor transportation systems for safety compliance
+Patrol the assigned route and check buses and trucks for required safety equipment, driver credentials, and visible defects, log each incident with vehicle ID and time, and escalate critical hazards to dispatch immediately.
The tools that do the workInspection Selection System ISSjob descriptions
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Assess repairs for proper completion
+Inspect the completed repair against the repair order and parts invoice, verify the defect no longer exists…
Assess repairs for proper completion
+Inspect the completed repair against the repair order and parts invoice, verify the defect no longer exists through functional test or road test, photograph the repair area, and sign off the repair certificate if satisfactory.
The tools that do the workPast Inspection Query PIQjob descriptions
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Conduct regular aviation research
+Search current aviation safety bulletins and regulatory updates for items that affect ground handling or…
Conduct regular aviation research
+Search current aviation safety bulletins and regulatory updates for items that affect ground handling or vehicle compliance, extract the actionable points, summarize implications for our field inspections, and circulate a concise brief to the team for immediate implementation.
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Prepare audit activities
+Compile the next audit plan by listing target carriers, audit scope, required records, and sampling methods,…
Prepare audit activities
+Compile the next audit plan by listing target carriers, audit scope, required records, and sampling methods, schedule field days and assign inspectors, then produce an audit checklist and distribution list for the supervisor.
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Procedures associated with different air navigation areas
+Review the air navigation area classifications for Denver International, Aspen/Pitkin, and Grand Junction,…
Procedures associated with different air navigation areas
+Review the air navigation area classifications for Denver International, Aspen/Pitkin, and Grand Junction, note any recent ICAO or FAA amendments affecting procedures, flag gaps in our local inspection checklists, and draft a two-page memorandum recommending immediate checklist changes by Friday.
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Enforce fuel storage regulations
+Inspect the fuel storage at Stapleton Fuel Depot against state and FAA fuel-storage rules, document any…
Enforce fuel storage regulations
+Inspect the fuel storage at Stapleton Fuel Depot against state and FAA fuel-storage rules, document any overfill or spill control deficiencies with photos, issue a corrective action notice to the fuel manager, and schedule a re-inspection within 14 days.
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Apply airport standards and regulations
+Audit the airside and landside facilities at Centennial Airport for compliance with airport design and safety…
Apply airport standards and regulations
+Audit the airside and landside facilities at Centennial Airport for compliance with airport design and safety standards, compile nonconformances tied to the airport manual and FARs, and prepare a briefing for the airport operations director by Wednesday.
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Conduct quality assurance inspections on fuel operations
+Perform a quality assurance inspection of fuel handling operations at Eagle County FBO, observe dispensing,…
Conduct quality assurance inspections on fuel operations
+Perform a quality assurance inspection of fuel handling operations at Eagle County FBO, observe dispensing, bonding, and filter maintenance, record test readings and deviations, and produce a signed QA report with required corrective actions within three business days.
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Inspect aircraft documentation
+Review the aircraft logbooks, maintenance records, and annual inspection certificates for N123AB, verify…
Inspect aircraft documentation
+Review the aircraft logbooks, maintenance records, and annual inspection certificates for N123AB, verify required entries and AD compliance, note missing signatures or overdue inspections, and file a discrepancy report with the operator before the aircraft departs.
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Common aviation safety regulations
+Summarise the current common aviation safety regulations that apply to small commuter aircraft in a two-page…
Common aviation safety regulations
+Summarise the current common aviation safety regulations that apply to small commuter aircraft in a two-page briefing for the regional chief inspector, include key FAR sections, recent advisory circular updates, and one-page implications for inspection checklists, due Wednesday.
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Apply technical communication skills
+Draft a clear one-page memo to maintenance crews explaining the new requirement for logbook entries after…
Apply technical communication skills
+Draft a clear one-page memo to maintenance crews explaining the new requirement for logbook entries after component replacement, include required wording, an example entry, and a note on who to contact for clarification, send to Jose Ramirez and copy the hanger foreman by Friday noon.
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Evaluate implementation of safety procedures
+Run an evaluation of how the line maintenance team implemented the revised safety procedures over the past…
Evaluate implementation of safety procedures
+Run an evaluation of how the line maintenance team implemented the revised safety procedures over the past quarter, list three observed compliance gaps, two examples of good practice, and recommend corrective actions with owners and 30-day deadlines for the audit manager by next Tuesday.
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Monitor airworthiness certifications
+Check the airworthiness certification records for fleet tail numbers N512AB, N614CD, and N729EF, confirm…
Monitor airworthiness certifications
+Check the airworthiness certification records for fleet tail numbers N512AB, N614CD, and N729EF, confirm certificate expiry dates, list missing endorsements, and prepare a one-page alert to send to the chief of maintenance if any certificate expires within 90 days, deliver today.
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Comply with legal regulations
+Compile a compliance checklist showing how current inspection processes meet the applicable legal…
Comply with legal regulations
+Compile a compliance checklist showing how current inspection processes meet the applicable legal regulations, highlight three non-compliant items with legal citations and suggested fixes, then forward the checklist to legal counsel and the safety officer by close of business Thursday.
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Prepare financial auditing reports
+Prepare the quarterly financial auditing report for inspection operations showing labor, parts, and…
Prepare financial auditing reports
+Prepare the quarterly financial auditing report for inspection operations showing labor, parts, and subcontract spend per aircraft, flag variances over 15 percent from budget, attach supporting invoices, and send to the finance director and procurement lead by Monday morning.
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses