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Lead Inspector Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Vander Weele Group LLC

Lead Inspector

Highland Park, IL · On-site

$36 - $50.48/hr

Lead Inspector Hourly: $36.00 - $50.48 per hour Remote: · Must be able to travel approximately 1 week a month to facilities. · Maintain the ability to be 24-hour travel-ready for unannounced ...

Aerotek

Quality Inspector

Wheeling, IL

$20 - $22/hr

Verify in-process production against specifications by performing visual and measurement tests and communicating required adjustments to the production supervisor or primary lead. * Inspect finished ...

D escoto Inc

Civil Construction Inspector

Chicago, IL · On-site

$45 - $65/hr

Lead inspectors may supervise other senior inspectors or inspectors. Senior inspectors may supervise other inspectors. All inspector positions will act under the responsibility of a Resident Engineer.

D escoto Inc

Civil Construction Inspector

Chicago, IL · On-site

$45 - $65/hr

Lead inspectors may supervise other senior inspectors or inspectors. Senior inspectors may supervise other inspectors. All inspector positions will act under the responsibility of a Resident Engineer.

Aerotek

Quality Inspector

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Verify in-process production against specifications by performing visual and measurement tests and communicating required adjustments to the production supervisor or primary lead. * Inspect finished ...

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All JobsLead Inspector JobsLead Inspector Jobs in Illinois

Lead Inspector information

See Illinois salary details

$12

$29

$58

How much do lead inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead inspector in Illinois is $29.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.41 and $38.65 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead inspector?

Lead Inspectors are professionals responsible for identifying the presence of lead-based paint and other lead hazards in homes, schools, and other buildings. They conduct visual assessments, collect samples of dust, paint, and soil, and use specialized equipment to detect lead contamination. Their work is crucial for ensuring that environments meet safety standards and protect occupants, especially children, from the harmful effects of lead exposure. Lead Inspectors often work with property owners, contractors, and government agencies to recommend and oversee remediation efforts.

What does a lead inspector do?

A lead inspector examines homes or buildings for the presence of lead paint or other material with a lead base. In this career, you may work in residential homes, public facilities, or commercial buildings. Most facilities that serve children, such as schools, need to have their buildings checked for lead content. You walk through the building, inspecting every wall and surface for the possibility of lead and test the paint to determine the severity of the hazard. After each inspection, you document your findings for your client or company.

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

To thrive as a Lead Inspector, you need strong attention to detail, knowledge of industry regulations, and relevant experience or certifications in inspection practices. Familiarity with inspection tools, quality management systems, and reporting software is typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help you coordinate teams and resolve issues efficiently. These skills are crucial to ensure compliance, maintain safety standards, and drive continuous improvement within inspection processes.

What are some common challenges faced by a lead inspector, and how are they typically addressed?

Lead Inspectors often encounter challenges such as managing tight project deadlines, coordinating with multiple teams, and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations. To address these, they rely on strong organizational skills, clear communication, and up-to-date knowledge of industry standards. Building strong relationships with team members and stakeholders also helps streamline inspection processes and resolve issues efficiently, ensuring projects remain on track and compliant.

What is the difference between Lead Inspector vs Quality Control Inspector?

AspectLead InspectorQuality Control Inspector
CertificationsOften requires certifications like ASQ CQI, API, or specific industry standardsMay require basic certifications, but less frequently
Work EnvironmentSupervises inspection teams, coordinates inspections, and ensures compliancePerforms inspections, checks products or processes, and reports issues
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and oil & gas industriesCommon across manufacturing, automotive, and production sectors

The main difference between a Lead Inspector and a Quality Control Inspector is that the Lead Inspector oversees inspection teams and manages inspection processes, while the Quality Control Inspector primarily conducts inspections and reports on product quality. Both roles require similar certifications and are vital in ensuring compliance and quality standards within various industries.

How much do lead inspectors make?

Lead inspectors in New York City typically earn an average salary of around $70,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the industry sector. Salaries can vary based on the complexity of inspections, employer size, and additional skills such as report writing or specialized knowledge.
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Lead Inspector jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Inspector job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,253 per year, or $29.9 per hour.

Lead Inspector

Vander Weele Group LLC

Highland Park, IL • On-site

$36 - $50.48/hr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Description:

Lead Inspector

Hourly: $36.00 - $50.48 per hour

Remote:

· Must be able to travel approximately 1 week a month to facilities.

· Maintain the ability to be 24-hour travel-ready for unannounced facility visits if needed.


At the Vander Weele Group, we are a leading provider of grant monitoring and oversight solutions. We leverage deep domain expertise to streamline grant management processes, mitigate risks, and enhance transparency. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the salary range. The actual salary will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law.


We are seeking a Lead Inspector to lead nationwide compliance inspections for federal site inspection projects. This role requires an experienced inspector who can conduct comprehensive reviews of facility operations, on-site walkthroughs, and facilitate interviews with staff and detainees. You will be responsible for synthesizing complex data into high-quality, site-specific reports that meet OIG/OIE standards while assisting in training team members on field conditions.


What Success Looks Like

  • Direct on-site walkthroughs and interviews with staff and detainees to match field conditions to standards.
  • Synthesize findings into clear, actionable reports that identify deficiencies and conform to OIG/OIE standards.
  • Assist in training inspectors on applying standards and coordinate with medical experts to ensure comprehensive reporting.
  • Manage the creation of complex workpapers and draft site-specific reports outlining deficiencies and recommendations.
  • Responsible for writing inspection activity reports and final draft reports, which will be sent to the Inspection Manager for final review.
  • Coordinate with medical subject matter experts to integrate specialized findings into draft reports.
  • This position requires high physical and logistical readiness.
  • Ability to travel one week per month, possibly two, and remain 24-hour (if needed) ready for facility visits.
  • Capacity to walk 15,000+ steps and stand for 8–10 hours.
  • Experience leading a team through inspections or report writing.
Requirements:

You’ll Thrive Here If

  • You have at least 5 years of experience in inspection and audit work, ideally under GAGAS and Blue Book standards.
  • Medical, legal, kitchen, and facilities auditing experience preferred.
  • You have superior writing skills with the ability to produce detailed assessments under tight deadlines.
  • You have a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Finance, or a related field.
  • You are a U.S. Citizen.
  • You can read and speak English.
  • You are able to pass a Tier 2/public trust background investigation, which will include a credit check and a detailed investigation into your background, possibly including a review of medical records and drug use.