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Highway Construction Inspection Jobs in Colorado

Inspection and documentation of contractor's work for conformance with the construction documents ... CDOT basic highway math, plan reading, and construction surveying certifications, or ability to ...

CEI Inspector

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$67K - $104K/yr

Have experience in construction inspection, including exposure to bridge and/or roadway ... Have a valid driver's license, be insurable, and be able to safely operate a vehicle on the highway ...

CEI Inspector

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$67K - $104K/yr

Have experience in construction inspection, including exposure to bridge and/or roadway ... Have a valid driver's license, be insurable, and be able to safely operate a vehicle on the highway ...

CEI Inspector

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$67K - $104K/yr

Have experience in construction inspection, including exposure to bridge and/or roadway ... Have a valid driver's license, be insurable, and be able to safely operate a vehicle on the highway ...

New

Construction Managers, Inspectors, Resident Engineers, and field specialists bring deep technical ... HDR is seeking a Highway Roadway Engineer in our Durango or Grand Junction offices to design ...

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Showing results 1-20

Highway Construction Inspection information

See Colorado salary details

$34.2K

$69.7K

$123K

How much do highway construction inspection jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for highway construction inspection in Colorado is $69,663.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $82,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Highway Construction Inspection vs Road Construction Technician?

AspectHighway Construction InspectionRoad Construction Technician
CertificationsOften requires NICET certification, OSHA safety trainingTypically requires OSHA safety training, technical certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, outdoor, highway projectsConstruction sites, outdoor, road projects
Employer & Industry UsageState DOTs, construction firms, federal agenciesConstruction companies, transportation agencies
Job FocusInspecting construction quality, safety complianceAssisting with construction processes, quality checks

Highway Construction Inspection and Road Construction Technician roles share similar environments and certifications. However, inspectors focus more on quality and safety compliance, while technicians assist with construction tasks. Both roles are vital in highway and road projects, often overlapping in industry usage and required credentials.

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

To thrive as a Highway Construction Inspector, you need in-depth knowledge of construction standards, materials, and safety regulations, typically supported by a relevant associate degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with inspection tools, project management software, and certifications such as NICET or state DOT credentials are often required. Strong attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving abilities are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure that highway projects are built to code, completed efficiently, and that public safety is maintained throughout the construction process.

What does a highway construction inspector do?

A highway construction inspector is responsible for overseeing road construction projects to ensure that work is performed according to approved plans, specifications, and safety regulations. They inspect materials, workmanship, and construction methods, documenting progress and any issues that arise. Inspectors also serve as a liaison between contractors, engineers, and government agencies to ensure the project meets all required standards. Their role helps maintain quality and safety on highways and ensures public funds are used efficiently.

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

Highway construction inspectors often face challenges such as adapting to changing weather conditions, managing tight project timelines, and ensuring contractors adhere strictly to safety and quality standards. They must communicate effectively with engineers, contractors, and government officials to resolve on-site issues quickly. Additionally, inspectors must stay up-to-date on evolving regulations and be prepared to handle unexpected issues, such as material shortages or design changes, while maintaining accurate and thorough documentation.
What are popular job titles related to Highway Construction Inspection jobs in Colorado? For Highway Construction Inspection jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Highway Construction Inspection jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Highway Construction Inspection jobs in Colorado are:
Infographic showing various Highway Construction Inspection job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,663 per year, or $33.5 per hour.

Civil Engineer Highway Construction Project Engineer - DH

Careers | Federal Highway Administration

Lakewood, CO โ€ข On-site

$85K/yr

Other

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has Civil Engineer (Construction) positions available in the Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD). Projects occur primarily on Federal Lands managed by other Federal agencies (e.g., National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service) and include multi-state areas. ย 

Qualifications:

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience,ย  you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include:

  • Experience as an engineer on highway construction projects overseeing a range of assigned activities such as materials testing, project schedule, progress estimates, surveys, traffic control, environmental controls, and construction methods; ANDย 
  • Experience coordinating with contractor staff, co-workers, and other stakeholders to resolve day-to-day issues and problems that arise.ย 

To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have:
3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application.ย 
To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, ย you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include:

  • Experience as the project engineer in charge or equivalent responsible for the administration and inspection of Federal, State or local highway construction projects that included major operations such as grading, drainage, bridge construction, retaining wall construction, traffic flow and maintenance, and recycled or conventional paving; ANDย ย 
  • Experience leading the work of staff performing highway construction project/inspection activities; ANDย 
  • Experience coordinating with partners and project stakeholders in order to resolve issues related to highway construction projects. ย ย 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

  • ย  ย  ย  ย Civil Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain facilities such as buildings, transportation systems, water and sanitary systems, and other public works systems.
  • ย  ย  ย  ย  Transportation Engineering - Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and methods applicable to planning, designing, and constructing of transportation systems including traffic analysis, signal analysis, highway capacity, pavement design, bridge construction, planning of transportation projects, environmental analysis of transportation facilities, and transportation network analysis.
  • ย  ย  ย  ย  ย Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Makes clear and convincing presentations. listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). ย Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/
Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date.
Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education:

MANDATORY EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

A. DEGREE: ENGINEERING --To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelorโ€™s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR

B. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -- College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelorโ€™s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive). All applicants must meet the education requirements under A or B to qualify for applying to an engineering position. Transcripts are required for this position.

Employment Type: OTHER