Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

SOC: 53-6051 O*NET: 53-6051.07
Median Salary
$92,100
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.

What does a Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation do?

Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$40,330
10th percentile
Early Career
$58,780
25th percentile
Median
$92,100
50th percentile
Experienced
$108,890
75th percentile
Top Earners
$138,670
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$40,330
25th
$58,780
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$92,100
Mean: $88,540
75th
$108,890
90th
$138,670
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • •Salary range spans $98,340 from entry level to top earners
  • •Middle 50% earn between $58,780 and $108,890
  • •Salary spread is 54.4% around the median, showing high variation
  • •Total national employment: 24,500 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:25,100

Top Industries

Support Activities for Transportation16.2%
Support Activities for Air Transportation10.4%
Manufacturing8.3%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:2,300

Employment Projections

2025 (Current)25,100
Current
2035 (Projected)25,600
+2.2%
+600
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 46 locations
New York
3,720 jobs$93,4202.44x
Texas
2,290 jobs$101,4401.03x
California
1,790 jobs$83,0000.62x
Florida
1,630 jobs$101,4701.04x
Illinois
1,130 jobs$47,9901.18x
New Jersey
930 jobs$49,2501.37x
Georgia
880 jobs$95,0301.15x
Arizona
830 jobs$62,2501.63x
Alabama
670 jobs$108,1402.01x
Michigan
540 jobs$35,8900.78x
Washington
490 jobs$104,2500.87x
Oklahoma
470 jobs$111,0701.73x
Colorado
460 jobs$81,8201.01x
South Carolina
440 jobs$80,4901.22x
Ohio
430 jobs$77,0100.50x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025

Key Growth Factors

  • •Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Mechanical
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Operations Monitoring
92%
#5
Problem Sensitivity
92%
#6
Active Listening
82%
#7
Oral Comprehension
82%
#8
Transportation
80%
#9
Speaking
74%
#10
Flexibility of Closure
74%

Skills Overview

Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Mechanical
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced4.6
92%
Active Listening
intermediate4.1
82%
Oral Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Transportation
intermediate4.0
80%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Quality Control Analysis

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Mechanical

advanced
Importance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0

Near Vision

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Operations Monitoring

advanced
Importance92%
skills
4.6/5.0

Problem Sensitivity

advanced
Importance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance82%
skills
4.1/5.0

Oral Comprehension

intermediate
Importance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0

Transportation

intermediate
Importance80%
knowledge
4.0/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Flexibility of Closure

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Arm-Hand Steadiness

intermediate
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators80%
5 shared skills
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic78%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers78%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders78%
5 shared skills
Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers75%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • ✓Active Listening
  • ✓Mechanical
  • ✓Transportation
Learn on the Job:
  • →Troubleshooting
  • →English Language
  • →Reading Comprehension

Mid Career

Expected:
  • ✓Quality Control Analysis
  • ✓Operations Monitoring
  • ✓Active Listening
  • ✓Mechanical
  • ✓Transportation

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • ★Quality Control Analysis
  • ★Active Listening
  • ★Mechanical
  • ★Transportation
  • ★Near Vision

Skill Development Tips

  • •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

Technology Intensity
Medium

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires intermediate digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Adobe Acrobat

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Google Android

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Google Android
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • •Vendor-specific software certifications
  • •Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • •Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • •Coursera - University-level programs
  • •Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • •Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
  • •Can you meet low physical demands?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)General Responsibilities (14)Management & Supervision (1)
1

Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform
2

Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform
4

Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Management & Supervision76% perform
10

Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
  • •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support

RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation

Independence

Very Important

Independence

Importance Level4.12

Integrity

Important

Integrity

Importance Level3.91

Cooperation

Important

Cooperation

Importance Level3.88

Attention to Detail

Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level3.85

Dependability

Important

Dependability

Importance Level3.82

Concern for Others

Important

Concern for Others

Importance Level3.82

Complete Work Styles Profile

Independence
4.1
Integrity
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Attention to Detail
3.9
Dependability
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Self-Control
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.6
Stress Tolerance
3.6
Initiative
3.5

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

Training of a few months to a year

💼 Experience Requirement

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
  • • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
  • • Industry certifications helpful
2

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation.

Browse Training Programs →

From the Blog

0 of 3
+ Add school+ Add school+ Add school
Compare Now