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Plans examiner salary
Average plans examiner salary
$59,697
Understanding Plans Examiner Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Plans Examiner stands at $59,697. This figure reflects the median earnings across various states and experience levels, providing a clear benchmark for aspiring professionals. Salaries can fluctuate based on factors like geographic location, level of experience, and the specific industry a Plans Examiner works within.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level Plans Examiners typically start at a lower salary, while those with several years of experience can earn significantly more. Understanding how experience impacts salary can guide new professionals in setting realistic expectations and career goals.
Highest Paying States
Plans Examiners in states such as California, New York, and Texas tend to earn above-average salaries, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in areas with higher construction activity. Additionally, urban areas within these states often provide greater job opportunities and higher compensation.
Career Opportunities
With the increasing complexity of building codes and safety regulations, the role of a Plans Examiner is becoming more crucial. This career not only offers competitive salaries but also the chance to contribute to community safety and development.
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Where can a Plans Examiner earn more?
Plans examiner salaries by experience level
Plans examiner salary estimates from across the web
Average plans examiner salary by state
The average plans examiner salary in California, Montana, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average plans examiner salary states are West Virginia, Florida, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for plans examiners
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $80,762 | $38.83 |
| 2 | California | $87,218 | $41.93 |
| 3 | Nevada | $71,593 | $34.42 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $81,846 | $39.35 |
| 5 | Montana | $82,134 | $39.49 |
| 6 | New York | $76,136 | $36.60 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $79,838 | $38.38 |
| 8 | Washington | $81,650 | $39.25 |
| 9 | Virginia | $68,864 | $33.11 |
| 10 | Vermont | $75,703 | $36.40 |
| 11 | Delaware | $76,257 | $36.66 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $62,557 | $30.08 |
| 13 | Michigan | $66,443 | $31.94 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $65,732 | $31.60 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $71,190 | $34.23 |
| 16 | Iowa | $64,853 | $31.18 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $72,084 | $34.66 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $72,994 | $35.09 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| 20 | Maryland | $61,498 | $29.57 |
| 21 | Colorado | $61,795 | $29.71 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $59,728 | $28.72 |
| 23 | Oregon | $67,692 | $32.54 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $54,606 | $26.25 |
| 25 | Arizona | $56,464 | $27.15 |
| 26 | Illinois | $59,768 | $28.73 |
| 27 | Kansas | $62,179 | $29.89 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $58,618 | $28.18 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| 30 | Utah | $56,097 | $26.97 |
| 31 | Alaska | $62,098 | $29.85 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $52,886 | $25.43 |
| 33 | Missouri | $55,390 | $26.63 |
| 34 | Rhode Island | $58,488 | $28.12 |
| 35 | Ohio | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| 36 | Idaho | $51,173 | $24.60 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $51,794 | $24.90 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $54,577 | $26.24 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $45,281 | $21.77 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $50,933 | $24.49 |
| 41 | Texas | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $46,964 | $22.58 |
| 43 | Georgia | $41,896 | $20.14 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $49,219 | $23.66 |
| 45 | Florida | $44,277 | $21.29 |
| 46 | Alabama | $49,165 | $23.64 |
| 47 | Indiana | $48,576 | $23.35 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $47,211 | $22.70 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $41,142 | $19.78 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $41,397 | $19.90 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $40,907 | $19.67 |
Highest paying cities for plans examiners
The highest-paying cities for plans examiners are Fairfield, CA, Bellingham, WA, and Billings, MT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairfield, CA | $90,500 | $43.51 |
| 2 | Bellingham, WA | $83,519 | $40.15 |
| 3 | Billings, MT | $79,895 | $38.41 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $76,207 | $36.64 |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $73,618 | $35.39 |
| 6 | Arlington, VA | $70,933 | $34.10 |
| 7 | Boulder, CO | $61,896 | $29.76 |
| 8 | Lake Havasu City, AZ | $58,563 | $28.16 |
| 9 | Salt Lake City, UT | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| 10 | Harrisburg, PA | $54,482 | $26.19 |
| 11 | Durham, NC | $53,582 | $25.76 |
| 12 | Meridian, ID | $51,556 | $24.79 |
| 13 | Reynoldsburg, OH | $51,553 | $24.79 |
| 14 | El Paso, TX | $49,788 | $23.94 |
| 15 | Gainesville, FL | $45,412 | $21.83 |
| 16 | Henderson, KY | $40,010 | $19.24 |
Plans examiner salary details
A plans examiner's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $85,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a plans examiner's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $41 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| Average | $59,697 | $4,975 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
Highest paying plans examiner jobs
The highest paying types of plans examiners are construction analyst, building code administrator, and project inspector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Construction Inspector | $51,630 | $4,303 | $24.82 | 95,430 |
| Residential Building Inspector | $48,597 | $4,050 | $23.36 | 28,745 |
| Construction Analyst | $78,452 | $6,538 | $37.72 | 36,179 |
| Housing Inspector | $47,599 | $3,967 | $22.88 | 18,546 |
| Bridge Inspector | $52,316 | $4,360 | $25.15 | 17,216 |
| Home Inspector | $51,264 | $4,272 | $24.65 | 55,491 |
Top companies hiring plans examiners now:
Which companies pay plans examiners the most?
Plans examiner salaries at Icma-rc and City of Jacksonville are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average plans examiner salary at companies like City of Seattle and City of San Antonio are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icma-rc | $96,952 | $46.61 |
| 2 | City of Jacksonville | $73,974 | $35.56 |
| 3 | City of Seattle | $71,364 | $34.31 |
| 4 | City of San Antonio | $70,156 | $33.73 |
| 5 | Ada County | $69,075 | $33.21 |
| 6 | Arapahoe County | $67,284 | $32.35 |
| 7 | City of Las Vegas | $66,804 | $32.12 |
| 8 | Arlington County, VA | $66,563 | $32.00 |
| 9 | T.Y. Lin International | $66,318 | $31.88 |
| 10 | Stantec | $65,999 | $31.73 |
| 11 | CSG | $65,566 | $31.52 |
| 12 | Boulder County | $65,367 | $31.43 |
| 13 | Coconino Community College | $65,334 | $31.41 |
| 14 | Minnesota Limited | $65,315 | $31.40 |
| 15 | Universal Engineering Sciences | $64,972 | $31.24 |
| 16 | International Society of Arboriculture | $64,822 | $31.16 |
| 17 | Bureau Veritas | $64,633 | $31.07 |
| 18 | King County | $64,412 | $30.97 |
| 19 | City of Peoria | $63,702 | $30.63 |
| 20 | City of Largo | $63,543 | $30.55 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Plans examiner salary trends
The average plans examiner salary has risen by $9,193 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average plans examiner earned $50,504 annually, but today, they earn $59,697 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for plans examiners over the last decade.
Compare plans examiner salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average plans examiner salary over time
Compare plans examiner salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Plans examiner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,700 | $28.70 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $57,700 | $27.72 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $56,700 | $27.26 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $56,100 | $26.98 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | $55,500 | $26.70 | +1.9% |
Recently added plans examiner salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | Plans Examiner II | Orlando, FL | 06/30/2025 | $64,488 |
| Pima County, Az | Plans Examiner II | Tucson, AZ | 06/28/2025 | $57,038 |
| Town of Queen Creek | Building Plans Examiner/Building Plans Examiner, Senior | Ajo, AZ | 06/28/2025 | $82,026 |
| Orlando Economic Partnership | Plans Examiner-Provisional, I/II Licensed (Building) | Orlando, FL | 06/27/2025 | $55,577 |
| City of Sunrise, Fl | Mechanical Plans Examiner | Sunrise, FL | 06/26/2025 | $30,000 |
| City of Garden Grove, Ca | Plans Examiner | Garden Grove, CA | 06/26/2025 | $73,188 |
| Maricopa County (Az | Plans Examiner Senior | Phoenix, AZ | 06/24/2025 | $62,610 |
| City of Queen Creek, Az | Building Plans Examiner/Building Plans Examiner, Senior | Queen Creek, AZ | 06/24/2025 | $82,026 |
| Dekalb County (Ga | Building & Fire Plans Examiner | Decatur, GA | 06/24/2025 | $54,209 |
| Jefferson County (Al | Plans Examiner-City of Homewood | Homewood, AL | 06/23/2025 | $60,652 |
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