Construction and Building Inspector Salary in 2026
How Much Do Construction and Building Inspectors Make?
Construction and Building Inspectors earn a median annual salary of $72,120 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $46,560 at the 10th percentile to $112,320 at the 90th percentile — a range of $65,760. The highest-paying state is California at $101,160.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,560 |
| 25th percentile | $57,300 |
| Median (50th) | $72,120 |
| 75th percentile | $92,330 |
| 90th percentile | $112,320 |
Construction and Building Inspector Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $101,160 |
| Alaska | $94,030 |
| District of Columbia | $91,630 |
| Washington | $89,360 |
| Connecticut | $87,290 |
| Minnesota | $83,890 |
| Oregon | $82,220 |
| New Jersey | $82,210 |
| Massachusetts | $79,220 |
| Colorado | $78,940 |
| New York | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $76,560 |
| North Dakota | $74,970 |
| Illinois | $73,050 |
| Arizona | $73,040 |
| Rhode Island | $72,790 |
| Maryland | $71,990 |
| Utah | $71,040 |
| Ohio | $70,890 |
| Nebraska | $70,730 |
| Wisconsin | $70,700 |
| Virginia | $69,960 |
| Michigan | $69,890 |
| Hawaii | $69,560 |
| Louisiana | $69,150 |
| New Hampshire | $66,750 |
| Vermont | $66,130 |
| North Carolina | $65,830 |
| Idaho | $65,720 |
| Maine | $65,670 |
| Florida | $65,340 |
| Delaware | $64,990 |
| Georgia | $64,290 |
| Iowa | $63,830 |
| Kentucky | $63,770 |
| Indiana | $63,750 |
| South Dakota | $63,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,180 |
| New Mexico | $62,470 |
| Missouri | $62,230 |
| Texas | $62,110 |
| Kansas | $61,850 |
| Alabama | $61,500 |
| Montana | $60,500 |
| Wyoming | $60,320 |
| South Carolina | $60,050 |
| Tennessee | $59,850 |
| Oklahoma | $58,810 |
| West Virginia | $57,240 |
| Arkansas | $52,970 |
| Mississippi | $49,750 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Construction and Building Inspectors
Construction and Building Inspector Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$46,560 – $57,300 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$72,120 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$92,330 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $112,320+ |
How to Earn More as a Construction and Building Inspector
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Construction and Building Inspectors in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $129,160 — $57,040 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($92,330) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Construction and Building Inspector Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectorthis career | $72,120 |
| Construction Manager | $106,980 |
| Environmental Compliance Inspector | $78,420 |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigator | $78,420 |
| Architect | $96,690 |
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SOC: 47-4011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.