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Construction Material Inspector Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Construction Laborer

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$45K - $60K/yr

Conduct regular inspections to ensure workmanship and materials meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. ยท Problem Solving: Identify and address construction-related challenges ...

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Plumbing Inspector

Elgin, IL ยท On-site

$65K - $78K/yr

B & F Construction Code Services, Inc., a leading third-party building plan review and inspection ... Study materials and paid ICC examination attempts (per policy) * Uniforms, PPE, work phone, and ...

Inspect construction materials and tools to ensure quality and compliance with specifications. * Monitor progress and prepare regular reports on project status, including budget adherence and labor ...

... plant fabrication or construction industry ยท 5 years continuous experience as a vendor ... review Material and Test certificates and required documentation as may be applicable to a ...

Showing results 41-60

Construction Material Inspector information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$33.5K

$68.3K

$120.6K

How much do construction material inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for construction material inspector in Chicago, IL is $68,299.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $80,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a construction material inspector do?

A Construction Material Inspector is responsible for testing and inspecting building materials such as concrete, asphalt, steel, and soil to ensure they meet project specifications and safety standards. They perform both on-site and laboratory tests, document results, and may also oversee the installation process to verify compliance with codes and regulations. Their work helps prevent structural failures and ensures that construction projects are built to last. Inspectors often collaborate with engineers, contractors, and government agencies throughout the construction process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a construction material inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Construction Material Inspector, you need a solid understanding of construction materials, building codes, and quality control, often supported by a degree in civil engineering or construction technology and relevant certifications. Familiarity with testing equipment, material sampling procedures, and reporting software is typically required. Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and effective communication help inspectors excel in this role. These skills ensure that construction projects meet safety standards, regulatory requirements, and high-quality workmanship.

What are some common challenges faced by construction material inspectors on the job?

Construction Material Inspectors often encounter challenges such as working outdoors in varying weather conditions, managing tight deadlines, and ensuring materials consistently meet quality and safety standards. They must also navigate effective communication with contractors, engineers, and project managers to resolve discrepancies or issues promptly. Staying current with changing codes and regulations, as well as maintaining detailed records, is essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Construction Material Inspector vs Construction Quality Control Technician?

AspectConstruction Material InspectorConstruction Quality Control Technician
CertificationsOften requires OSHA safety training, material-specific certificationsRequires OSHA safety training, quality assurance certifications
Work EnvironmentInspecting materials on construction sites, warehousesMonitoring construction processes, ensuring quality standards
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction companies, material suppliersConstruction firms, project management teams
Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

While both roles focus on quality and safety, the Construction Material Inspector primarily evaluates the quality and compliance of construction materials, whereas the Construction Quality Control Technician oversees overall construction quality processes. Both roles require safety certifications and are vital in ensuring construction standards are met.

Are construction material inspectors in high demand?

Construction material inspectors are in steady demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects and new construction developments. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as safety standards and quality control remain priorities in the construction industry, often requiring certifications and knowledge of building codes.

How much do construction material inspectors make?

Construction material inspectors typically earn a median annual salary of around $45,000 to $65,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Experienced inspectors with specialized knowledge or certifications can earn higher wages, and the job often involves working on construction sites with tools and safety protocols.

How to become a construction material inspector with no experience?

To become a construction material inspector with no experience, start by gaining basic knowledge of construction materials and inspection procedures through online courses or vocational training. Entry-level positions often require a high school diploma or equivalent, and obtaining certifications such as OSHA safety training or material testing certifications can improve job prospects. On-the-job training is common, and developing skills in reading blueprints and using testing tools can help advance in this field.
Infographic showing various Construction Material Inspector job openings in Chicago, IL as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,299 per year, or $32.8 per hour.

CMT Project Manager -- Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

Construction Material Testing
Civil Engineering Constructionย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$125K - $155K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Project managers own the client relationship and the testing program: scoping proposals, scheduling crews against pour and earthwork calendars, reviewing reports before they ship, and keeping projects profitable and clients informed. You will run multiple concurrent projects with real authority and real accountability.

Responsibilities: Scope and price testing and inspection programs; Schedule field and laboratory resources against construction calendars; Review daily reports and resolve failing-test conversations quickly; Manage budgets, invoicing inputs, and client communication; Grow accounts through delivered reliability.

Qualifications: 5+ years CMT, special inspection, or construction QC experience; Scheduling and client-facing fluency under deadline pressure; Certifications (ICC, NICET, ACI) and technical credibility with field crews.

What a week in this job looks like:

You run the book of projects that keeps a testing operation alive: scoping and pricing new programs, scheduling technicians against pour and earthwork calendars that change nightly, reviewing reports before they ship, and having the failing-test conversation with a client in a way that protects both the record and the relationship. Monday you are pricing a two-year industrial program; Thursday you are untangling a double-booked crew before a 4 a.m. mat pour. It is a job for someone who has stood on the field side of this work and wants the authority, and the accountability, of running it. Underneath the calendar work sits the money work: budgets tracked project by project, invoicing inputs clean enough that accounting never calls, change scope caught while it is still billable, and the monthly honest look at which clients are worth growing and which projects taught an expensive lesson.

Background, growth, and where this leads:

We expect five or more years in CMT, special inspection, or construction quality control, with the certifications and scar tissue that come with it, ICC, NICET, or ACI credentials and the ability to hold technical credibility with a senior technician who has seen everything. Business skills we can sharpen; field credibility we cannot fake. Project managers who grow their book and their people step into operations leadership. In a company this size, the distance between running projects and running the practice is short and visible.

Pay, schedule, and travel:

Salary runs $125,000 to $155,000 depending on the book you can carry and the clients you bring credibility with. The rhythm follows construction: intense stretches around major placements and mobilizations, planning valleys between them, and a phone that matters more than a desk. The seat is Texas-based with regular presence on your projects; national industrial programs involve periodic travel to the sites you are responsible for, planned rather than perpetual.

Safety, quality, and the standards we work under:

You own outcomes inside a documented AASHTO R18 quality system and a licensed radiation safety program, which means your schedule decisions never get to compromise either. Report quality is a management responsibility here: what ships under your projects carries your review. You will also own the honest conversation, with clients about failing work, with crews about standards, and with leadership about what a schedule actually costs.

How hiring works, and our commitment:

Expect a direct conversation with leadership, references that get called, and a written offer consistent with this posting. The role requires a valid driver's license and the jobsite capability to be present on active projects, with pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite requirements. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

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