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Transportation53-6051.00Specialization

Transportation Inspectors

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.

$87,290
Median Pay
4-6 years
Training
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In Transition
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View Other Transportation Workers

This is a specialization of

Other Transportation Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Medium+1

44% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+2% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 10/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09
View full methodology →

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.
  • Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Bachelor's degree

Time to Job Ready

4-6 years

Based on Job Zone 4. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Inspection softwareMicrosoft OfficeDatabase systemsCompliance documentationMobile inspection apps

Key Abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInductive ReasoningNear VisionInformation OrderingFar Vision

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Find jobs and training programs for transportation inspectors- Median salary: $87K/year

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Compensation Details

$39,790
10th Percentile
$87,290
Median
$129,020
90th Percentile

Based on 27,670 employed workers

Also Known As

AdmeasurerBridge InspectorCargo InspectorCargo SurveyorContainer InspectorDamaged Freight InspectorEquipment InspectorFreight Car InspectorFreight InspectorFreight Service Inspector

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 53-6051.00