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Inspector general salary
Average inspector general salary
$48,026
Inspector General Salary Overview
The position of an Inspector General plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and integrity in various sectors, including government and private organizations. As of October 2025, the average salary is $48,026 annually, or around $23 per hour. This figure reflects the essential functions of the role, which often include auditing, investigations, and compliance checks.
Factors influencing salary include geographic location, years of experience, and industry sector. For instance, states with higher living costs tend to offer more competitive salaries. States like California and New York often report higher average salaries for Inspectors General, with figures exceeding $60,000 annually.
Experience also plays a significant role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start at around $35,000, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $70,000. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for aspiring professionals in this field.
For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing specialized certifications or advanced degrees can enhance job prospects and lead to higher salaries. For additional insights, explore our detailed salary estimates and job listings tailored for Inspectors General.
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Where can an Inspector General earn more?
Inspector general salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level inspector general | $28,500 | $13.69 |
| Mid-level inspector general | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Senior-level inspector general | $60,000 | $28.85 |
Inspector general salary estimates from across the web
Average inspector general salary by state
The average inspector general salary in Connecticut, Maryland, and Louisiana are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average inspector general salary states are Oregon, Wyoming, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for inspectors general
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $68,922 | $33.14 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $75,185 | $36.15 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $52,159 | $25.08 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $53,966 | $25.95 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $55,557 | $26.71 |
| 6 | Maryland | $63,603 | $30.58 |
| 7 | Louisiana | $62,479 | $30.04 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $50,703 | $24.38 |
| 9 | Washington | $55,229 | $26.55 |
| 10 | Delaware | $51,262 | $24.65 |
| 11 | New York | $52,032 | $25.02 |
| 12 | Arizona | $53,737 | $25.84 |
| 13 | Utah | $48,438 | $23.29 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $53,388 | $25.67 |
| 15 | Nevada | $50,227 | $24.15 |
| 16 | Virginia | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| 17 | California | $50,565 | $24.31 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $48,265 | $23.20 |
| 19 | Ohio | $47,904 | $23.03 |
| 20 | Oklahoma | $51,864 | $24.93 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $49,932 | $24.01 |
| 22 | Michigan | $48,998 | $23.56 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $44,596 | $21.44 |
| 25 | Florida | $48,787 | $23.46 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $43,928 | $21.12 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $45,517 | $21.88 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $45,117 | $21.69 |
| 29 | Colorado | $47,139 | $22.66 |
| 30 | Maine | $43,842 | $21.08 |
| 31 | Idaho | $44,252 | $21.27 |
| 32 | Montana | $44,206 | $21.25 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $44,808 | $21.54 |
| 34 | Vermont | $44,895 | $21.58 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $44,439 | $21.36 |
| 36 | Indiana | $43,226 | $20.78 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $44,631 | $21.46 |
| 38 | Iowa | $44,821 | $21.55 |
| 39 | Missouri | $44,834 | $21.55 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $42,311 | $20.34 |
| 41 | Kansas | $43,971 | $21.14 |
| 42 | Oregon | $41,681 | $20.04 |
| 43 | Alaska | $46,111 | $22.17 |
| 44 | Texas | $43,228 | $20.78 |
| 45 | Alabama | $42,150 | $20.26 |
| 46 | Georgia | $40,995 | $19.71 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $42,176 | $20.28 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $41,629 | $20.01 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $37,577 | $18.07 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| 51 | Illinois | $36,426 | $17.51 |
Highest paying cities for inspectors general
The highest-paying cities for inspectors general are Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and Las Cruces, NM.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $75,162 | $36.14 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $63,766 | $30.66 |
| 3 | Las Cruces, NM | $54,625 | $26.26 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $53,366 | $25.66 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $52,338 | $25.16 |
| 6 | Lincoln, NE | $50,912 | $24.48 |
| 7 | Chicopee, MA | $50,766 | $24.41 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $50,003 | $24.04 |
| 9 | Youngstown, OH | $49,801 | $23.94 |
| 10 | Colorado Springs, CO | $48,759 | $23.44 |
| 11 | Tallahassee, FL | $47,995 | $23.07 |
| 12 | Columbia, SC | $44,636 | $21.46 |
| 13 | Rapid City, SD | $44,174 | $21.24 |
| 14 | Houston, TX | $43,717 | $21.02 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $36,567 | $17.58 |
Inspector general salary details
An inspector general's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $74,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an inspector general's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $74,000 | $6,167 | $36 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| Average | $48,026 | $4,002 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
Highest paying inspector general jobs
The highest paying types of inspectors general are senior inspector, lead inspector, and weld inspector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Operator | $35,591 | $2,966 | $17.11 | 63,674 |
| Quality Assurance Inspector | $36,842 | $3,070 | $17.71 | 74,410 |
| Certified Welding Inspector | $47,494 | $3,958 | $22.83 | 50,814 |
| Quality Control Inspector | $35,018 | $2,918 | $16.84 | 92,794 |
| Mechanical Inspector | $49,727 | $4,144 | $23.91 | 33,863 |
| Technical Inspector | $38,939 | $3,245 | $18.72 | 83,675 |
Top companies hiring inspectors general now:
Which companies pay inspectors general the most?
Inspector general salaries at MKP Capital Management and City of Jacksonville are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average inspector general salary at companies like King County and City of Baltimore are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MKP Capital Management | $78,087 | $37.54 |
| 2 | City of Jacksonville | $63,303 | $30.43 |
| 3 | King County | $58,885 | $28.31 |
| 4 | City of Baltimore | $58,327 | $28.04 |
| 5 | U.S. International Development Finance Corp | $57,114 | $27.46 |
| 6 | Defense Intelligence Agency | $52,704 | $25.34 |
| 7 | Us Army Reserves | $50,918 | $24.48 |
| 8 | Army National Guard | $50,687 | $24.37 |
| 9 | U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission | $50,438 | $24.25 |
| 10 | Air National Guard | $49,216 | $23.66 |
| 11 | CIA Inc | $48,992 | $23.55 |
| 12 | Indian Health Service | $47,249 | $22.72 |
| 13 | City of Las Cruces Government | $47,214 | $22.70 |
| 14 | City of Columbus | $46,149 | $22.19 |
| 15 | My Florida Regional Mls | $43,115 | $20.73 |
| 16 | Texas Department of Transportation | $41,818 | $20.10 |
| 17 | State Of Florida | $38,898 | $18.70 |
| 18 | Florida Department of Transportation | $38,475 | $18.50 |
| 19 | Remedy Intelligent Staffing | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| 20 | Adecco | $32,920 | $15.83 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Inspector general salary trends
The average inspector general salary has risen by $7,620 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average inspector general earned $40,406 annually, but today, they earn $48,026 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for inspectors general over the last decade.
Compare inspector general salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average inspector general salary over time
Compare inspector general salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Inspector general salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,000 | $23.09 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $46,500 | $22.34 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $45,400 | $21.83 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $44,300 | $21.31 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $43,700 | $20.99 | +2.1% |
Recently added inspector general salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford County Schools | Tchr-Ec General Curr | Boone, NC | 06/27/2025 | $57,900 |
| Arizona Department of Administration | Deputy Inspector General | Phoenix, AZ | 06/19/2025 | $95,000 |
| State of Arizona | Deputy Inspector General | Phoenix, AZ | 06/18/2025 | $95,000 |
| Post Holdings | General Laborer-Inspector 3Rd Shift | Lansing, IL | 05/30/2025 | $33,392 |
| Us Tsubaki Automotive | General Inspector-2Nd Shift | Chicopee, MA | 05/24/2025 | $43,243 |
| Alfred H Knight Group | General Inspector | Oakland, CA | 05/24/2025 | $60,000 |
| City of Dallas, Tx | Investigator-Inspector General-1 (Non-Civil Service) | Marilla, NY | 05/17/2025 | $64,252 |
| Guilford County Schools | Tchr-Ec General Curr | Boone, NC | 05/16/2025 | $57,900 |
| City of Tallahassee (Fl | Inspector General Staff Auditor or Senior Auditor | Tallahassee, FL | 05/13/2025 | $80,000 |
| The Agency | Inspector General Investigating Attorney (46800) | Chicago, IL | 05/07/2025 | $83,796 |
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