How much does a inspector make?
The median inspector in the United States earns $48,570 per year, about $23.35 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all inspectors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9061.
Inspector salary range
Pay for inspectors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,510 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $77,860. The average (mean) wage of $53,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,510 | $17.07 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,890 | $19.18 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,570 | $23.35 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $61,440 | $29.54 | |
| 90th percentile | $77,860 | $37.44 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers (SOC 51-9061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Inspector salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Inspectors earn the most in Alaska at $78,150 a year, and the least in Alabama at $40,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $78,150 | 300 |
| Washington | $64,420 | 12,010 |
| Maryland | $61,790 | 4,600 |
| Hawaii | $59,740 | 650 |
| District of Columbia | $59,730 | 70 |
| Colorado | $58,350 | 5,220 |
| Montana | $58,070 | 580 |
| Wyoming | $57,900 | 990 |
| Delaware | $57,190 | 1,020 |
| Minnesota | $57,170 | 9,710 |
| Connecticut | $57,090 | 7,460 |
| Rhode Island | $54,940 | 1,790 |
| New Hampshire | $54,800 | 3,050 |
| Missouri | $54,420 | 12,480 |
| California | $54,300 | 61,130 |
| Oregon | $54,120 | 5,690 |
| Kansas | $53,680 | 9,300 |
| Maine | $53,570 | 1,800 |
| Massachusetts | $52,270 | 10,650 |
| Arizona | $52,100 | 11,120 |
| Nebraska | $51,270 | 3,350 |
| North Dakota | $50,820 | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $50,740 | 7,230 |
| New York | $49,990 | 19,790 |
| Oklahoma | $49,630 | 7,430 |
| Wisconsin | $49,610 | 17,670 |
| Virginia | $49,590 | 9,830 |
| New Mexico | $49,500 | 1,550 |
| Louisiana | $49,490 | 8,110 |
| Nevada | $49,280 | 4,040 |
| New Jersey | $49,140 | 12,280 |
| Utah | $48,910 | 6,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,320 | 25,870 |
| Illinois | $47,920 | 31,700 |
| Indiana | $47,900 | 24,790 |
| Florida | $47,540 | 22,630 |
| Ohio | $47,360 | 32,060 |
| South Dakota | $47,240 | 1,090 |
| West Virginia | $47,010 | 2,720 |
| South Carolina | $46,890 | 13,360 |
| North Carolina | $46,430 | 19,700 |
| Kentucky | $46,280 | 12,880 |
| Texas | $46,210 | 56,390 |
| Vermont | $46,210 | 900 |
| Georgia | $46,130 | 19,980 |
| Tennessee | $45,760 | 17,140 |
| Idaho | $45,130 | 2,900 |
| Arkansas | $44,570 | 5,880 |
| Michigan | $44,490 | 27,980 |
| Mississippi | $40,670 | 6,970 |
| Alabama | $40,010 | 13,120 |
State median wages for inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers (SOC 51-9061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for inspectors
The BLS projects employment of inspectors to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 602,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 617,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 66,700 openings a year for inspectors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an inspector
The typical entry-level education for inspectors is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an inspector earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $78,150) and the lowest (Alabama, $40,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 597,370 people work as inspectors in the United States. At $48,570 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Inspector salary FAQ
How much does an inspector make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an inspector is $23.35. The middle half of inspectors earn between $19.18 and $29.54 per hour.
What is the highest inspector salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of inspectors earn more than $77,860 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an inspector make a year?
The median annual salary for an inspector is $48,570. The average (mean) wage of $53,450 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an inspector a well paid job?
At $48,570 a year, an inspector earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 597,370 people work as inspectors in the United States.
Which state pays inspectors the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for inspectors at $78,150 a year. Washington ($64,420) and Maryland ($61,790) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an inspector a good career?
Employment of inspectors is projected to grow 2.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 66,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an inspector?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for inspectors as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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