Building Inspector Jobs in Arlington, TX
Building inspector jobs in Arlington run through city building departments, led by the Building Inspections division of Arlington's Planning and Development Services on West Abram Street. Next door, Fort Worth is posting combination inspector roles at $26.57 to $33.21 an hour. Current openings are below, followed by who hires, pay and certification.
Current building inspector Openings in Arlington, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Building Inspector Work in Arlington
Every permitted project in Arlington, from new homes in Viridian along the Trinity River and the growing neighborhoods south of I-20 toward Mansfield, to commercial work along I-30, SH 360 and the Entertainment District, needs inspection before it moves to the next phase or opens. That work sits with the City's Building Inspections division, staffed by a chief building official, senior and combination inspectors, a field inspections supervisor and plans examiners. The division's FY2026 budget sets a target of completing every requested inspection within 24 hours, which keeps field inspectors moving across the city all day.
Because Arlington sits between Fort Worth and Grand Prairie, inspectors here can work for any of three city building departments within a short drive, and the Great Southwest Industrial District straddles the Arlington and Grand Prairie line. Texas adds one state layer most states lack: plumbing inspection requires a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
Top Arlington Employers Hiring Building Inspectors
Building inspection in the Arlington area is municipal work, and these city departments run it:
- City of Arlington - the Building Inspections division of Planning and Development Services employs combination inspectors, senior inspectors and plans examiners.
- City of Fort Worth - the Development Services Inspections Division is hiring Combination Inspector I and Sr. Combination Inspector.
- City of Grand Prairie - the Building Inspections Division at 300 West Main St handles permit inspections for Arlington's eastern neighbor.
Building Inspector Salaries in Arlington
- Entry level: about $47,000 to $55,000 a year for new single-certification inspectors.
- Experienced: about $55,000 to $75,000 a year; Fort Worth's Combination Inspector I posting pays $26.57 to $33.21 an hour, roughly $55,300 to $69,100 a year.
- Senior: $75,000 and up for senior inspectors, plans examiners and building officials; nationally the top 10 percent of inspectors earn more than $114,200.
These are estimates built from the Fort Worth posting and the BLS national figures for May 2025 (median $74,690, lowest 10 percent under $47,140). Pay moves most with certifications: each added ICC credential or a Texas plumbing inspector license qualifies you for higher steps, and moving from field inspection to plans review or a building official role is the biggest jump.
How to Become a Building Inspector in Arlington
Most inspectors come from construction or the trades, then earn International Code Council (ICC) certifications, which cities set as job requirements. Fort Worth's current combination inspector posting is a good example: an ICC energy code (IECC) inspector certification within 6 months of hire, a State of Texas plumbing inspector license within 1 year, and one more ICC certification or Texas license within 18 months. The plumbing inspector license comes from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners and requires a high school diploma or GED plus 500 hours of plumbing training and experience, or a qualifying license such as journeyman or master plumber; it is valid only for the jurisdiction that employs you. For coursework, Tarrant County College offers Construction Management Technology at TCC South Campus in Fort Worth, including a Construction Inspection Technician certificate.
What the Job Involves
A building inspector visits active job sites to check foundations, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and energy work against adopted codes and approved plans before the next phase or final occupancy. The day mixes field inspections, ladder and attic access, plan reading, documenting results in permitting software, and explaining corrections to contractors and homeowners. Inspectors issue approvals, corrections and re-inspection notices, and they must apply the code consistently and defensibly.
Skills Employers Look For
- Working knowledge of the International Codes and local amendments
- ICC certifications, with combination credentials preferred
- Construction or skilled-trades experience
- Blueprint and plan reading
- Clear, professional communication with contractors and the public
- Accurate documentation in permitting software
- Physical ability for ladders, attics and outdoor field work
Career Path and Advancement
The ladder in Arlington's Building Inspections division shows the path: inspectors stack ICC certifications to become combination inspectors, then move to senior inspector, field inspections supervisor or plans examiner, and from there to assistant building official and chief building official. Fort Worth's larger Development Services department offers the same steps with more positions at each level.
Related Careers in Arlington
If building inspection interests you, these related Arlington roles may also fit:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a building inspector in Texas?
Plumbing inspection requires a plumbing inspector license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. For building, electrical and mechanical inspection, cities set their own requirements, and they almost always ask for International Code Council certifications.
How long does it take to become a building inspector in Arlington?
If you already have construction or trades experience, you can be hired and certify on the job. Fort Worth's posting gives new combination inspectors 6 months for a first ICC certification, 1 year for the Texas plumbing inspector license and 18 months for another credential.
How much do building inspectors make near Arlington?
Fort Worth's Combination Inspector I posting pays $26.57 to $33.21 an hour, about $55,300 to $69,100 a year. Senior inspectors and plans examiners earn more, and the national median for the job was $74,690 in May 2025.
What is the difference between a building inspector and a code enforcement officer?
A building inspector checks construction under an active permit against the building codes and approved plans. A code enforcement officer handles problems on existing properties, such as overgrown lots, junk vehicles and unpermitted work.
Where is Arlington's building inspections office?
Building Inspections is a division of Planning and Development Services, based at 101 West Abram Street downtown. Inspectors spend most of the day in the field, and the division aims to complete requested inspections within 24 hours.
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