Career Overview
Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.
Also Known As
- Carman
- Inspector
- Smog Technician
- Transit Vehicle Inspector
Alternate Job Titles
- Air Brake Tester
- Air Brakes Inspector
- Auto Damage Auction Inspector (Automotive Damage Auction Inspector)
- Auto Inspector
- Automobile Tester
- Automotive Damage Field Inspector
- Automotive Damage Inspector
- Automotive Field Inspector
- Automotive Inspector
- Automotive Vehicle Inspector
- Brakes Inspector
- Bus and Trolley Inspecting Dispatcher
- Bus Inspector
- Car Body Inspector
- Car Examiner
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
- Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
- Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Flexibility of Closure
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Auditory Attention
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Selective Attention
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Structured query language SQL
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Barcode scanners
- Battery charge testers
- Battery test hydrometers
- Computer data input scanners
- Decelerometers
- Desktop computers
- Dial indicators
- Digital cameras
- Digital timing lights
- Distance measuring wheels
- Dynamometers
- Exhaust analyzers
- Flammable gas detection meters
- Floor jacks
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Spend Time Standing
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Transportation Inspectors occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation.
| 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:
Aviation Inspectors
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $85,750
Transportation Inspectors
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $85,750
Construction and Building Inspectors
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $72,120
Locomotive Engineers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $77,400
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,460
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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.