SOC 474011

Construction and Building Inspectors

Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.

National Median

$72,120

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$72,120

Entry Level (10th pct)

$46,560

Experienced (90th pct)

$112,320

Total Employed

137,210

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$46,560 - $57,300
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$57,300 - $92,330
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$92,330 - $112,320

Highest Paying Locations for Construction and Building Inspectors

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$129,160

+79.1% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$125,150

+73.5% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$113,030

+56.7% vs national

Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

$109,070

+51.2% vs national

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

$103,480

+43.5% vs national

Construction and Building Inspectors Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$129,160	1,010
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$125,150	2,430
Vallejo, CA	$113,030	270
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$109,070	220
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$103,480	3,730
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$102,380	1,060
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$102,000	60
California	$101,160	14,010
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$100,330	1,630
Napa, CA	$100,010	60
Redding, CA	$99,210	80
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$98,980	1,220
Fairbanks-College, AK	$98,560	40
New Haven, CT	$94,860	140
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$94,840	170
Walla Walla, WA	$94,310	40
Alaska	$94,030	270
Salinas, CA	$93,310	80
Anchorage, AK	$92,280	160
Rochester, MN	$92,150	40
District of Columbia	$91,630	300
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$90,430	90
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$89,630	70
Washington	$89,360	2,960
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$89,190	150
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$88,150	130
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$88,130	180
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$88,100	870
Idaho Falls, ID	$87,700	70
Connecticut	$87,290	990
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$87,290	70
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$87,090	460
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$86,590	1,330
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$86,530	60
Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area	$86,170	40
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$85,960	11,060
Lake Charles, LA	$85,280	50
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$85,260	130
Bellingham, WA	$85,060	110
Salem, OR	$84,540	170
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$83,970	1,070
Minnesota	$83,890	1,300
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$83,540	90
Lafayette, LA	$83,190	130
Yuba City, CA	$82,890	40
Oregon	$82,220	1,670
New Jersey	$82,210	7,040
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$82,130	350
Connecticut nonmetropolitan area	$82,060	40
Modesto, CA	$82,050	150

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Construction and Building Inspectors?

The national median annual salary for Construction and Building Inspectors is $72,120, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Construction and Building Inspectorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Construction and Building Inspectorss is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median salary of $129,160.

How much can an experienced Construction and Building Inspectors make?

Top-earning Construction and Building Inspectorss (90th percentile) make $112,320 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.