How much does a building inspector make?
a year · about $36 an hour
A typical building inspector in the United States makes $74,690 a year, about $36 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They visit construction sites to check the work and tell builders what they find. Between visits, they review blueprints, write reports, and schedule inspections; some climb ladders or squeeze into tight spaces.
Did you know? Some U.S. building inspectors climb ladders or crawl into tight spaces to check a building.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $47,140 and $114,200How do you become one?
In the United States, building inspectors usually finish high school and gain five or more years of experience in a construction trade. They learn codes and inspection skills on the job, and some states or towns require a license or certification.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, inspectors with more construction experience, useful skills, or sought-after licenses and certifications may earn more. Pay can also differ by employer, location, and how complex the inspection work is.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($101,290), lowest in Mississippi ($50,250).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $47,140 | $74,690 | $114,200 | about 147,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $101,290 | about 13,000 |
| Connecticut | $98,670 | about 1,000 |
| Washington | $96,140 | about 3,000 |
| Minnesota | $88,670 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $84,510 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/construction-and-extraction/construction-and-building-inspectors
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY