Research Summary. The Zippia data science team conducted thorough research to present the latest insights into inspector salaries across the United States by state:
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Louisiana boasts the highest average inspector salary at $54,663.
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Alabama has the lowest average inspector salary at $32,566.
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The national average salary for inspectors is $38,757.
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The national hourly wage for inspectors stands at $18.63.
For further details, you can explore the specific methodology.
Background
In recent surveys, salary remains the most crucial factor for job seekers in nearly every demographic. Potential inspectors often ask, “What can I expect to earn in my area?”
While individual salaries can vary based on factors like experience, location, and sector, we have solid data on the average inspector salaries by state, providing a valuable reference point for potential earnings. Although your specific city may differ from state averages, these figures offer a useful guideline.
Currently, Louisiana ranks highest for inspector salaries.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for inspector salaries:
Let’s delve deeper into these statistics and provide a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Inspectors By State
| Rank | State | Average Inspector Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | $54,663 | $39,000 | $75,000 |
| 2 | Maryland | $47,265 | $31,000 | $70,000 |
| 3 | Alaska | $47,022 | $40,000 | $54,000 |
| 4 | Oregon | $46,623 | $34,000 | $63,000 |
| 5 | New York | $46,224 | $28,000 | $74,000 |
| 6 | Washington | $46,187 | $34,000 | $61,000 |
| 7 | California | $45,492 | $32,000 | $64,000 |
| 8 | Arizona | $44,272 | $31,000 | $61,000 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $43,881 | $26,000 | $73,000 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $43,266 | $26,000 | $69,000 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $43,252 | $26,000 | $71,000 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $43,058 | $36,000 | $50,000 |
| 13 | Virginia | $42,654 | $29,000 | $62,000 |
| 14 | Nevada | $42,528 | $30,000 | $59,000 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $42,449 | $25,000 | $70,000 |
| 16 | Montana | $42,001 | $32,000 | $55,000 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $41,862 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 18 | Colorado | $41,337 | $31,000 | $54,000 |
| 19 | Texas | $40,823 | $29,000 | $56,000 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $40,280 | $30,000 | $53,000 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $40,248 | $30,000 | $52,000 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $40,158 | $23,000 | $67,000 |
| 23 | Vermont | $38,974 | $23,000 | $64,000 |
| 24 | Maine | $38,950 | $22,000 | $66,000 |
| 25 | Delaware | $38,886 | $25,000 | $59,000 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $38,643 | $24,000 | $59,000 |
| 27 | Florida | $38,631 | $27,000 | $54,000 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $38,568 | $28,000 | $51,000 |
| 29 | Missouri | $38,266 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 30 | Utah | $38,163 | $28,000 | $51,000 |
| 31 | Kansas | $38,160 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 32 | Iowa | $37,876 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 33 | Ohio | $37,649 | $26,000 | $52,000 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $37,463 | $28,000 | $50,000 |
| 35 | Wyoming | $37,289 | $28,000 | $49,000 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $36,862 | $27,000 | $48,000 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $36,569 | $26,000 | $49,000 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $35,985 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $35,453 | $25,000 | $49,000 |
| 40 | Georgia | $35,430 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $35,299 | $26,000 | $47,000 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $35,197 | $25,000 | $47,000 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $35,159 | $26,000 | $47,000 |
| 44 | Indiana | $34,595 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 45 | Idaho | $34,366 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| 46 | Illinois | $33,656 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $33,628 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $33,529 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 49 | Michigan | $33,121 | $23,000 | $46,000 |
| 50 | Alabama | $32,566 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
Methodology: Inspector Salary By State
To analyze inspector pay by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We supplement this data with actual salaries listed in job postings. This information is then analyzed to calculate a weighted average salary for inspectors by state.
We utilized annual salary data for inspectors from these estimates and ranked every state based on this criterion, with the highest average salary ranking as the top state for inspectors.
Inspector Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for inspectors?
The highest-paid state for inspectors is Louisiana with an average salary of $54,663 per year.
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What city pays inspectors the most?
Vancouver, WA offers the highest pay for inspectors, averaging $46,655 annually.
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What is the worst state for inspectors?
The state with the lowest average salary for inspectors is Alabama, at $32,566 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
