How much does a transportation inspector make?
The median transportation inspector in the United States earns $92,100 per year, about $44.28 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all transportation inspectors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-6051.
Transportation inspector salary range
Pay for transportation inspectors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $138,670. The average (mean) wage is $88,540, close to the median.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,330 | $19.39 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,780 | $28.26 | |
| Median (50th) | $92,100 | $44.28 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $108,890 | $52.35 | |
| 90th percentile | $138,670 | $66.67 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for transportation inspectors (SOC 53-6051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Transportation inspector salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Transportation inspectors earn the most in Alaska at $123,120 a year, and the least in Michigan at $35,890. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $123,120 | 170 |
| Iowa | $116,850 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $111,070 | 470 |
| Hawaii | $108,270 | 150 |
| Alabama | $108,140 | 670 |
| North Dakota | $106,330 | 60 |
| Washington | $104,250 | 490 |
| Kansas | $103,380 | 210 |
| Florida | $101,470 | 1,630 |
| Texas | $101,440 | 2,290 |
| Maryland | $100,700 | 250 |
| Georgia | $95,030 | 880 |
| New York | $93,420 | 3,720 |
| Minnesota | $92,860 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $91,520 | 330 |
| District of Columbia | $89,960 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $85,130 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $84,470 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $83,970 | 260 |
| California | $83,000 | 1,790 |
| Colorado | $81,820 | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,550 | 340 |
| South Carolina | $80,490 | 440 |
| Indiana | $80,330 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $79,650 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $78,430 | 420 |
| Oregon | $78,110 | 250 |
| Louisiana | $77,460 | 130 |
| Ohio | $77,010 | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $75,260 | 120 |
| South Dakota | $70,080 | 100 |
| Virginia | $68,610 | 330 |
| Missouri | $64,690 | 380 |
| Utah | $64,480 | 210 |
| Maine | $63,750 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $63,690 | 230 |
| Montana | $62,810 | 180 |
| Arizona | $62,250 | 830 |
| West Virginia | $58,670 | 90 |
| Idaho | $54,330 | 170 |
| Nevada | $50,060 | 430 |
| New Jersey | $49,250 | 930 |
| Illinois | $47,990 | 1,130 |
| Michigan | $35,890 | 540 |
State median wages for transportation inspectors (SOC 53-6051), 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 transportation inspectors
The BLS projects employment of transportation inspectors to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 25,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 25,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,300 openings a year for transportation 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 a transportation inspector
The typical entry-level education for transportation 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 a transportation inspector earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $123,120) and the lowest (Michigan, $35,890) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 24,500 people work as transportation inspectors in the United States. At $92,100 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Transportation inspector salary FAQ
How much does a transportation inspector make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a transportation inspector is $44.28. The middle half of transportation inspectors earn between $28.26 and $52.35 per hour.
What is the highest transportation inspector salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of transportation inspectors earn more than $138,670 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a transportation inspector make a year?
The median annual salary for a transportation inspector is $92,100. The average (mean) wage is $88,540, close to the median.
Is being a transportation inspector a well paid job?
At $92,100 a year, a transportation inspector earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 24,500 people work as transportation inspectors in the United States.
Which state pays transportation inspectors the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for transportation inspectors at $123,120 a year. Iowa ($116,850) and Oklahoma ($111,070) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a transportation inspector a good career?
Employment of transportation inspectors is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a transportation inspector?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for transportation inspectors as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Transportation salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.