Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Also called: Government Property Inspectors
Investigate or inspect government property to ensure compliance with contract agreements and government regulations.
Also called: Adjustment Examiner, Airport Operations Officer, Compliance Analyst, Compliance Coordinator, Contract Inspector, Government Gauger
Median pay
$80,730
Pay for the broader BLS group “Compliance Officers”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,220 – $133,720
People employed
417,070
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Tight deadlines are common
- Work outdoors in all weather
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Compliance Officers”.
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators salary in every state →
What government property inspectors and investigators do
- 01Prepare correspondence, reports of inspections or investigations, or recommendations for action.
- 02Investigate alleged license or permit violations.
- 03Examine records, reports, or other documents to establish facts or detect discrepancies.
- 04Inspect government property, such as construction sites or public housing, to ensure compliance with contract specifications or legal requirements.
- 05Inspect manufactured or processed products to ensure compliance with contract specifications or legal requirements.
- 06Collect, identify, evaluate, or preserve case evidence.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
- Law and Government
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from government property inspectors and investigators
- Construction and Building Inspectors88% · —
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators85% · —
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians80% · —
- Compliance Managers78% · group pay
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists78% · —
Change into government property inspectors and investigators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Construction and Building Inspectors88% · $74,690
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators85% · $75,920
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians83% · $61,560
- Customs and Border Protection Officers81% · $76,210
- Private Detectives and Investigators80% · $51,220
Majors that lead here
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Science
- Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
- Energy and Environmental Policy
- Environmental Geosciences
- Suspension and Debarment Investigation
- Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician
- Regulatory Science/Affairs
- Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Labor and Industrial Relations
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.