Transportation Inspector Salary in 2026
How Much Do Transportation Inspectors Make?
Transportation Inspectors earn a median annual salary of $85,750 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $40,090 at the 10th percentile to $137,120 at the 90th percentile — a range of $97,030. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $138,030.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,090 |
| 25th percentile | $58,650 |
| Median (50th) | $85,750 |
| 75th percentile | $105,020 |
| 90th percentile | $137,120 |
Transportation Inspector Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $138,030 |
| Idaho | $107,440 |
| Hawaii | $105,650 |
| Oklahoma | $104,490 |
| North Dakota | $104,330 |
| District of Columbia | $103,970 |
| Kansas | $103,810 |
| Wisconsin | $100,310 |
| Georgia | $98,150 |
| Nevada | $97,880 |
| Washington | $97,360 |
| Maryland | $95,420 |
| Iowa | $94,990 |
| Massachusetts | $92,870 |
| Colorado | $91,660 |
| New York | $91,150 |
| Florida | $86,770 |
| Oregon | $85,450 |
| Delaware | $85,310 |
| Texas | $84,180 |
| Arkansas | $83,560 |
| Nebraska | $82,720 |
| Kentucky | $82,460 |
| Michigan | $81,470 |
| Connecticut | $80,130 |
| Ohio | $79,860 |
| Louisiana | $79,280 |
| South Carolina | $79,040 |
| Indiana | $78,100 |
| South Dakota | $76,960 |
| Mississippi | $76,820 |
| California | $75,590 |
| North Carolina | $75,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,420 |
| Tennessee | $74,450 |
| Virginia | $73,070 |
| Alabama | $70,550 |
| New Mexico | $63,730 |
| Utah | $62,960 |
| Missouri | $62,950 |
| Illinois | $57,590 |
| Maine | $55,220 |
| New Jersey | $54,860 |
| West Virginia | $50,770 |
| Montana | $49,010 |
| Arizona | $45,950 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Transportation Inspectors
Transportation 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) | ~$40,090 – $58,650 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$85,750 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$105,020 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $137,120+ |
How to Earn More as a Transportation Inspector
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Transportation Inspectors in Alaska earn $138,030 — $52,280 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($105,020) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Transportation Inspector Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Transportation Inspectorthis career | $85,750 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager | $102,010 |
| Government Property Inspectors and Investigator | $78,420 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architect | $105,670 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $83,910 |
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SOC: 53-6051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.