Career Overview
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.
Also Known As
- Cargo Surveyor
- Marine Cargo Surveyor
- Marine Surveyor
- Petroleum Inspector
Alternate Job Titles
- Admeasurer
- Bridge Inspector
- Cargo Inspector
- Cargo Surveyor
- Container Inspector
- Damaged Freight Inspector
- Equipment Inspector
- Freight Car Inspector
- Freight Inspector
- Freight Service Inspector
- Freight Specialist
- Heavy Check Inspector
- Inspections Specialist
- Inspector
- Loading Inspector
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
- Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
- Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.
- Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
- Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
- Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.
- Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Transportation
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Far Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Google Android
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Automatic samplers
- Bottom samplers
- Calibrated measuring tapes
- Calipers
- Cargo scales
- Centrifugal testers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Grease guns
- Hand magnifying lenses
- Handheld computers
- Hydrometers
- Laptop computers
- Measuring rods
- Oilcans
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $40,090 |
| Median | $85,750 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $137,120 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 23,320
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $85,750
Aviation Inspectors
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $85,750
Construction and Building Inspectors
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $72,120
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $63,940
Ship Engineers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $101,320
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.