Who Earns What

How much does a transport inspector make?

US Transportation Inspectors
$92,100

a year · about $44 an hour

A typical transport inspector in the United States makes $92,100 a year, about $44 an hour, about 1.8× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They check that freight is loaded and tied down safely, read shipping papers, and record its condition. If a load could shift, they may order extra bracing or reloading and write an inspection report.

Did you know? U.S. DOT planned to train 163 federal and state track inspectors to check railroad bridges—up from fewer than 10 inspectors monitoring them.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$92,100
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $40,330 and $138,670
51 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the US, finish high school, then build mechanical or transport skills through vocational study, related work, or an apprenticeship. Aviation specialties often call for additional training and prior experience.

School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree

Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, more experience, specialized skills, or sought-after licenses and training can mean higher pay. Location and employer industry matter too, so government, rail, air, and cargo inspection jobs may pay differently.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Alaska ($123,120), lowest in Michigan ($35,890).

See every state
Whole US$92,100
Alaska$123,120
Iowa$116,850
Oklahoma$111,070
Hawaii$108,270
Alabama$108,140
New Jersey$49,250
Illinois$47,990
Michigan$35,890

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Transport inspector pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$40,330$92,100$138,670about 25,000
States where transport inspectors earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Alaska$123,120about 170
Iowa$116,850about 60
Oklahoma$111,070about 470
Hawaii$108,270about 150
Alabama$108,140about 670

Official definition: Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified. Excludes “Transportation Security Screeners” (33-9093).

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY