Public health inspectors check the sanitary conditions of various establishments, making sure they're up to par with health regulations and codes. They make a report of their findings and notify the health department if violations are found. These professionals earn a yearly median salary of $76,340.
Essential Information
The public health inspector is responsible for inspecting certain public establishments, ensuring their accordance with health laws. Inspectors aid in the betterment of the community through consistent reinforcement of health mandates. Prospective health inspectors should pursue a bachelor's degree in occupational health or safety, or a similar field.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree in occupational health, safety or similar field |
| Other Requirements | Voluntary certification encouraged |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 4% for all occupational health and safety specialists |
| Median Annual Salary (2020)* | $76,340 for all occupational health and safety specialists |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Description for a Public Health Inspector
Public health inspectors examine and inspect public establishments, ensuring each is in compliance with public health regulations and laws. Most of these regulations and laws pertain to the sanitation of the establishment in question, which include hotels and motels, food service establishments, swimming facilities, youth camps, certain housing and health facilities. These regulations help to protect the public against illnesses and other potential health hazards.
According to the New York State Department of Health, a public health inspector typically works under an environmental health professional or a sanitarian. Public health inspectors not only conduct unannounced inspections of establishments, they may also investigate public sanitation complaints (www.health.state.ny.us).
Duties of a Public Health Inspector
Duties include both primary and follow-up inspections of public establishments to ensure compliance with sanitary codes. Inspectors may relay establishment violations to the owner or manager and ensure he or she ameliorates these within an appropriate amount of time.
Inspectors may also be expected to testify at hearings regarding establishment violations utilizing his or her inspection reports. Public health inspectors respond to questions regarding documented violations, prepare detailed reports and maintain inspection records. Additional public health inspector duties may include evaluating data pertaining to the inspection and maintaining correspondence with the organization concerning permits and violations.
Salary Information for a Public Health Inspector
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020, the annual earnings for most occupational health and safety specialists, including public health inspectors, were between $44,710 and $112,850 annually. Many health inspectors work for the management, scientific, and technical consulting Services and federal executive branch. The BLS also reported that the highest paying industries who employ these professionals are those working for scientific research and development services.
Public health inspectors will visit indoor and outdoor places to observe and report compliance with health department standards. Those who want to enter this field should aim for a bachelor's degree in occupational health or a similar discipline as most employers demand a college education. Salaries vary by industry type and location of the employer.
