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Bridge Inspector Jobs in Minneapolis, MN (NOW HIRING)

Act as Project Principal or Lead Engineer on bridge design, rehab, and inspection projects, managing scope, schedule, staffing, budget, etc. * Make key contributions on project pursuits, facilitating ...

BRIDGE PRACTICE LEADER

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$160K - $220K/yr

Act as Project Principal or Lead Engineer on bridge design, rehab, and inspection projects, managing scope, schedule, staffing, budget, etc. * Make key contributions on project pursuits, facilitating ...

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Bridge Inspector information

See Minneapolis, MN salary details

$31.3K

$72.7K

$131.5K

How much do bridge inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for bridge inspector in Minneapolis, MN is $72,663.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,400.00 and $93,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do bridge inspectors get paid?

Bridge inspectors typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Entry-level inspectors may start at lower wages, while experienced professionals or those with specialized skills can earn higher salaries. Overtime and fieldwork can also impact overall compensation.

What is the difference between Bridge Inspector vs Structural Engineer?

AspectBridge InspectorStructural Engineer
CertificationsTypically requires state-specific inspector certifications and safety trainingRequires a Professional Engineer (PE) license and engineering degree
Work EnvironmentOn-site inspections of bridges, often outdoors and in various weather conditionsDesign, analysis, and planning in offices or on-site for larger projects
Employer & Industry UsagePublic agencies, transportation departments, construction firmsEngineering consulting firms, construction companies, government agencies

Bridge Inspectors focus on evaluating the safety and condition of existing bridges through on-site inspections, while Structural Engineers design and analyze new or existing structures, including bridges. Both roles require technical knowledge, but their responsibilities and certifications differ significantly.

What is the role of a bridge inspector?

A bridge inspector evaluates the safety and structural integrity of bridges by inspecting components such as supports, decks, and cables. They identify damage, corrosion, or wear, and often use tools like drones or testing equipment to assess conditions, ensuring bridges meet safety standards and regulations.

What does a Bridge Inspector do?

A Bridge Inspector is responsible for examining and evaluating the structural integrity and safety of bridges. They conduct regular inspections to identify any signs of wear, damage, or potential hazards, and document their findings in detailed reports. Bridge Inspectors often use specialized equipment and may work in challenging conditions to ensure that bridges meet safety standards and regulations. Their work is critical in preventing accidents and ensuring public safety on transportation infrastructure.

What are some common challenges faced by bridge inspectors during fieldwork?

Bridge inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in varying weather conditions, accessing hard-to-reach structural elements, and ensuring safety while operating near traffic or over water. Field inspections may require specialized equipment and coordination with other engineers or traffic authorities. Adaptability, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are essential to overcome these challenges and ensure thorough, accurate inspections.

What type of inspector gets paid the most?

In the field of bridge inspection, senior or specialized inspectors with extensive experience, certifications, and advanced skills tend to earn the highest salaries. These roles often involve overseeing complex projects, using advanced tools, and may require certifications such as NACE or NICET levels, which can lead to higher pay compared to entry-level inspectors.

What Does a Bridge Inspector Do?

As a bridge inspector, your duties include monitoring construction sites, performing surveys and inspections, issuing violation notices or stop-work orders, creating written documentation, and reviewing plans to ensure compliance with ordinances, regulations, and building codes. Your responsibilities include ensuring a bridge (or another building) is safe from the design phase through to testing after construction. Being a bridge inspector requires you have some formal qualifications and education, typically at least a bachelor’s degree with a focus on building inspection and ideally further certification in building or bridge inspection. However, each state requires different training and skills from its inspectors, so be certain to check with your local regulatory agencies for particulars.

How do I become a bridge inspector?

To become a bridge inspector, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience or training in civil engineering, construction, or related fields. Many positions require certification such as the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) certification, and inspectors often use tools like drones or inspection equipment to assess bridge conditions regularly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Bridge Inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Bridge Inspector, you need a solid understanding of civil engineering principles, structural analysis, and inspection procedures, often supported by a degree in civil engineering or a related field and relevant certifications. Experience with inspection tools, nondestructive testing equipment, and familiarity with reporting software like AASHTOWare are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help inspectors identify issues and clearly convey findings. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure public safety, maintain infrastructure integrity, and comply with regulatory standards.
What job categories do people searching Bridge Inspector jobs in Minneapolis, MN look for? The top searched job categories for Bridge Inspector jobs in Minneapolis, MN are:
What cities near Minneapolis, MN are hiring for Bridge Inspector jobs? Cities near Minneapolis, MN with the most Bridge Inspector job openings:
Infographic showing various Bridge Inspector job openings in Minneapolis, MN as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,669 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Bridge Design Engineer, Senior

Hennepin County, MN

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$91K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Salary: $91,437.49 - $137,156.23 Annually
Location : Medina, MN
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26TRNS0165FM070
Department: Transportation Project Delivery
Division: Trans Bridge Division
Opening Date: 04/20/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Hennepin County's Transportation Project Delivery department is seeking a Senior Bridge Design Engineer. This position reports to the County Bridge Engineer and will be responsible for overseeing the design of bridges, miscellaneous structures, managing in-house and consultant design projects, and supervising and mentoring junior staff. In this position, you will have the opportunity to work with one of the largest structural inventories in the state that includes many culturally significant crossings, experience personal and professional growth through formal training programs, and a culture supportive of continuous improvement.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit thepage.
Find us here at upcoming career fairs!
Location and hours:
This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Public Works Facility, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340, and remote as job duties require. There is no public transportation to this facility. Work hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with flexibility. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
About the position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Senior Professional Engineer (Level III) in the Engineer Series job class.
Click to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will:
  • Manage bridge replacement and repair projects.
  • Design bridges using load and resistance factor design methodology; design and detail retaining wall systems and other miscellaneous structures.
  • Develop electronic load rating files primarily with the software package Bridge Rating, for all county bridges to utilize for the analysis of overload permits, load postings, and rehabilitation/replacement projects.
  • Supervise technicians and other junior staff assigned to the Bridge Division.
  • Develop project budgets and estimates, schedule resources, allocate resources, and monitor budgets for all assigned projects.
  • Manage bridge projects for in-house, consultant designs, and consultant contracts.
  • Prepare environmental documents and permits for bridge projects.
  • Prepare reports and correspondence, present, and communicate projects to the public and elected officials.
  • Establish and maintain trusting working relationships with internal and external groups, including other county staff, federal, state and municipal staff, elected officials, and the public.

Need to have:
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering field appropriate to the position and five years of engineering experience.
  • Licensed as a Professional Engineer with the Minnesota Board of Registration or able to obtain a Minnesota license within six months of hire.

Nice to have:
  • Current licensure as a Professional Engineer in another state (must obtain a Minnesota License within six months of hire).
  • Two years or more of supervisory and/or management experience.
  • Knowledge of:
    • Project development for bridge projects.
    • Structural analysis and bridge design software.
    • Minnesota State Aid rules and federal regulations.
  • Experience with:
    • Load rating bridges.
    • Bridge replacement design, maintenance, and repair projects.
    • Analyzing and designing various retaining wall structure types.
    • Drafting and detailing in MicroStation or other Computer Aided Drafting tools.
  • Ability to:
    • Communicate and present technical and sensitive information effectively, both verbally and in writing.
    • Perform bridge inspections.

About the department:
We envision a Transportation Department whose members are respectful of one another and the public we serve and are committed to the delivery of a safe, high-quality county highway system. We are widely trusted and recognized for innovation, collaboration, and the responsible use of resources.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align with our mission to serve residents through transformative services that eliminate disparities, eliminate inequities, and create opportunity for all and our vision of a community where all people are healthy, all people are valued, and all people thrive.
Our employees receive a combination of generous benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (log in as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the elimination of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
Your future. Made here.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.Applications will be forwarded to the hiring supervisor on an on-going basis until the positions are filled.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates may be required to complete a background check.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Lidy Vu
Why work here?
Hennepin County embraces the Total Rewards philosophy. We want our employees to succeed - not only at work but as they move through life and its milestones. We offer advantages and opportunities others can't - including:
  • Meaningful work
  • Public service
  • Competitive pay
  • Work-life balance
  • Generous benefits
  • Opportunities to grow
  • Commitment to your success

By working in public service, we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Together, we support those in need. We help people access information and services. We empower vibrant and diverse communities. We serve residents.
Visit our benefits page to learn more: bridge.hennepin.us/eligibility.
If you are a current Hennepin County employee please be aware that any change in job classification may affect your current benefits (such as a conversion from Vacation/Sick Leave to Paid Time Off and/or enrollment in a Health Care Saving Plan.) Information about the impact of job changes on benefits can be found
01
This position is hybrid and will be performed both on-site at the Public Works Facility, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340, and remote as job duties require. There is no public transportation to this facility. Work hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with flexibility. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in or relocate to Minnesota or Wisconsin. New Employee Orientation (NEO) for all new benefit-earning employees is in-person in downtown Minneapolis. Details about NEO will be provided upon hire.
Are you willing and able to meet these requirements?
  • Yes
  • No

02
In which of the following field(s) do you have a bachelor's degree or higher? Check all that apply.
  • Civil engineering
  • Other related engineering field
  • None of the above

03
Describe your relevant education including area(s) of study, school(s) attended, and degree(s)/certification(s) earned. If you do not have relevant education, type "None" in the space provided.
04
What is your current Professional Engineer licensing status?
  • I am licensed as a Professional Engineer with the Minnesota Board of Registration
  • I am licensed as a Professional Engineer in another state
  • I am not licensed as a Professional Engineer, but I am eligible for MN licensure within six months of hire
  • I am not licensed as a Professional Engineer at this time

05
List your Professional Engineer license(s) below including field(s) of engineering, status/expiration date, and license number. If you are not currently licensed, type "None" in the space provided
06
How many years of experience do you have in engineering?
  • I do not have this experience
  • Less than 5 years
  • 5 years or more

07
Describe your engineering experience, referencing jobs listed in your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
08
How many years of supervisory and/or management experience do you have?
  • I do not have this experience
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year or more, but less than 2 years
  • 2 years or more

09
Describe your supervisory and/or management experience, referencing jobs listed in your application/resume. If you do not have this experience, type "None" in the space provided.
10
Please choose the one recruitment source that best describes how you first learned about this job opening. Please review all possible choices before making your selection. Your response to this question helps us evaluate the effectiveness of our recruitment methods.
  • College or university (job board, career services, or instructor)
  • Community or nonprofit organization (counselor, job board, etc.)
  • Employee or recruiter of Hennepin County (supervisor/manager, colleague, or Human Resources)
  • Friend or family member that is not a Hennepin County employee
  • Hennepin County job notification emails
  • Indeed.com
  • Job fair or networking event
  • LinkedIn
  • Print advertisement (flyer, postcard, billboard, transit ad, etc.)
  • Professional association (ASCE, APWA, ISACA, etc.)
  • Social media (Handshake, Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.)
  • hennepin.jobs or governmentjobs.com

11
For the recruitment source selected above, please provide the specific name of the person, website, or media source.
Required Question