How much does a transport inspector make?
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 knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,330 and $138,670How 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,330 | $92,100 | $138,670 | about 25,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $123,120 | about 170 |
| Iowa | $116,850 | about 60 |
| Oklahoma | $111,070 | about 470 |
| Hawaii | $108,270 | about 150 |
| Alabama | $108,140 | about 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
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-6051.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-6051.07
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-6051.01
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes536051.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-an
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY