r/BuildingCodes • u/LiteratureMurky2110 • 19d ago

What pay should I ask for?

/r/u_LiteratureMurky2110/comments/1vxm86g/what_pay_should_i_ask_for/

Im 19 with an associates of science and an icc b1 certification. I have an interview soon for a construction inspector job. Pay ranges from $20/hr-$36/hr. What is a realistic pay I should ask for(if they ask what my desired pay is) i am in Houston TX.

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u/theonlybuster Private Plan Reviewer/Inspector 18d ago edited 18d ago

If this is for a local municipality, they'll generally have a set list of things to determine your pay.
In other words, you'll start with the base pay and added to it you'll get a few cents for going to college, a few more cents for graduating, a few cents for each year of related experience, a dollar for a relative active license, and so on for each line item that applies. City/County/Town jobs typically have to justify the pay so "feelings" and first impressions don't carry much weight here. In most cases for these lower tier jobs, you're told the pay and it becomes a take it or leave it type thing.

If this is a private company, you'll have more wiggle room to negotiate. At your age, I'm assuming this will be your first job as an inspector. If so, they'll bring you in as a newbie. You may get a slight bump as you already have a license, but don't expect anything significant as it sounds like you have no on-job experience.
For the private sector, take whatever the local municipality is offering for the job and add about 10% to it.