Transportation and material moving
Transportation inspector
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.
Median pay
$92,100
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
2,300
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Transportation inspector
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Core tasks
- 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.
- Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.
Also called: Cargo Surveyor · Inspector · Marine Cargo Surveyor · Marine Surveyor · Petroleum Inspector
Outlook and AI
Transportation inspectors held 25,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 25,600 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Transportation inspector vs. Construction and building inspectors
- Transportation inspector vs. Aircraft cargo handling supervisor
- Transportation inspector vs. Ship engineer
- Transportation inspector vs. Cargo and freight agents
- Transportation inspector vs. Railroad conductors and yardmasters
- Transportation inspector vs. Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers
- Transportation inspector vs. Airfield operations specialist