Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.

Also called: Car Inspector, Carman, Emissions Inspector, Inspector, Motor Carrier Inspector, Quality Assurance Inspector, Railroad Track Inspector, Safety Inspector, Smog Technician, Transit Vehicle Inspector, Air Brakes Inspector, Auto Damage Auction Inspector (Automotive Damage Auction Inspector), Automotive Damage Field Inspector (Auto Damage Field Inspector), Automotive Damage Inspector (Auto Damage Inspector), Automotive Field Inspector (Auto Field Inspector), Automotive Inspector (Auto Inspector), Automotive Vehicle Inspector (Auto Vehicle Inspector), Axle Inspector, Brakes Inspector, Bus Inspector, Car Body Inspector, Emissions Testing Technician (Emissions Testing Tech), Engine Inspector, Equipment Inspector, Field Automotive Inspector (Field Auto Inspector), Inspection Technician, Journal Box Inspector, Locomotive Inspector, Maintenance Inspector, Motor Carrier Safety Specialist, Motor Vehicle Inspector, Motor Vehicle Specialist, New Car Inspector, Operations Inspector, Public Transportation Inspector, Rail Flaw Detector Operator, Railroad Car Inspector, Railroad Inspector, Railroad Safety Inspector, Railroad Shop Inspector, Signal Inspector, Station Inspector, Street Car Inspector, Tank Car Inspector, Tank Inspector, Track Inspector, Train Inspector, Transportation Inspector, Transportation Security Inspector, Truck Safety Inspector, Tunnel Inspector, Vehicle Inspector, Way Inspector, Wheel Inspector

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
Investigate complaints regarding safety violations.
Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found.

Skills, machines and equipment

Quality Control Analysis
Operations Monitoring
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Operation and Control
Troubleshooting
Monitoring
Time Management
Active Learning
Social Perceptiveness

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (57.78% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

58,780–108,890 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 53-6051.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (57.78% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation