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Plumbing inspector salary
Average plumbing inspector salary
$49,162
Understanding Plumbing Inspector Salaries
The average salary for a plumbing inspector in the United States stands at $49,162 annually or approximately $24 per hour. Factors influencing salary include geographical location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities.
Salary Variability by State
Plumbing inspectors in states like California and New York often see higher salaries, reflecting local demand and cost of living. For instance, inspectors in California may earn upwards of $60,000, while those in less populated areas may earn closer to $40,000.
Experience Levels Matter
Entry-level plumbing inspectors can expect to earn around $38,000, while those with several years of experience may see their salaries rise significantly. Inspectors with specialized certifications or management responsibilities often command higher pay, further emphasizing the value of continuing education and professional development.
Job Opportunities
This field offers various job opportunities, from residential inspections to commercial plumbing assessments. By staying informed about salary trends, aspiring plumbing inspectors can make informed career choices, ensuring they pursue positions that align with their financial goals.
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Where can a Plumbing Inspector earn more?
Plumbing inspector salaries by experience level
Plumbing inspector salary estimates from across the web
Average plumbing inspector salary by state
The highest-paying states for plumbing inspectors are California, New Jersey, and Delaware. The lowest average plumbing inspector salary states are Indiana, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for plumbing inspectors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $79,731 | $38.33 |
| 2 | Nevada | $58,827 | $28.28 |
| 3 | Maine | $53,787 | $25.86 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $56,684 | $27.25 |
| 5 | Montana | $53,418 | $25.68 |
| 6 | Arizona | $53,141 | $25.55 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $51,165 | $24.60 |
| 8 | New Mexico | $53,937 | $25.93 |
| 9 | Delaware | $61,151 | $29.40 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $56,755 | $27.29 |
| 12 | Vermont | $50,839 | $24.44 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $48,389 | $23.26 |
| 14 | Maryland | $56,421 | $27.13 |
| 15 | Michigan | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| 16 | Virginia | $51,343 | $24.68 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| 18 | Washington | $53,771 | $25.85 |
| 19 | Florida | $47,585 | $22.88 |
| 20 | Kansas | $50,529 | $24.29 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $50,890 | $24.47 |
| 22 | New York | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| 23 | Alabama | $47,633 | $22.90 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $48,413 | $23.28 |
| 25 | Illinois | $51,499 | $24.76 |
| 26 | Colorado | $45,638 | $21.94 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $45,156 | $21.71 |
| 28 | Iowa | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $43,901 | $21.11 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $45,099 | $21.68 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $43,365 | $20.85 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $44,851 | $21.56 |
| 33 | Ohio | $42,489 | $20.43 |
| 34 | Oregon | $48,852 | $23.49 |
| 35 | Utah | $45,043 | $21.66 |
| 36 | Texas | $43,065 | $20.70 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $45,352 | $21.80 |
| 38 | Georgia | $39,854 | $19.16 |
| 39 | Missouri | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| 40 | Indiana | $38,353 | $18.44 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $46,414 | $22.31 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | $44,265 | $21.28 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $45,631 | $21.94 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $41,641 | $20.02 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $36,092 | $17.35 |
| 46 | Idaho | $36,195 | $17.40 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $39,287 | $18.89 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $33,459 | $16.09 |
| 49 | Alaska | $42,862 | $20.61 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $32,787 | $15.76 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $37,882 | $18.21 |
Highest paying cities for plumbing inspectors
The highest-paying cities for plumbing inspectors are Livermore, CA, Dover, DE, and Frederick, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livermore, CA | $79,516 | $38.23 |
| 2 | Dover, DE | $61,266 | $29.45 |
| 3 | Frederick, MD | $55,952 | $26.90 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $54,117 | $26.02 |
| 5 | Rio Rancho, NM | $53,397 | $25.67 |
| 6 | Arlington, VA | $51,807 | $24.91 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $51,770 | $24.89 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $51,448 | $24.73 |
| 9 | Appleton, WI | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| 10 | Pembroke Pines, FL | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| 11 | Kailua, HI | $46,522 | $22.37 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $45,995 | $22.11 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $45,249 | $21.75 |
| 14 | Casper, WY | $44,589 | $21.44 |
| 15 | San Antonio, TX | $43,841 | $21.08 |
| 16 | Kent, OH | $43,807 | $21.06 |
| 17 | Muncie, IN | $38,848 | $18.68 |
| 18 | Pocatello, ID | $35,821 | $17.22 |
| 19 | Frankfort, KY | $33,585 | $16.15 |
Plumbing inspector salary details
A plumbing inspector's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $78,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a plumbing inspector's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $78,000 | $6,500 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| Average | $49,162 | $4,097 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
Highest paying plumbing inspector jobs
The highest paying types of plumbing inspectors are construction analyst, building code administrator, and project inspector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Analyst | $78,452 | $6,538 | $37.72 | 36,179 |
| Plans Examiner | $59,697 | $4,975 | $28.70 | 4,018 |
| Engineering Construction Inspector | $51,630 | $4,303 | $24.82 | 95,430 |
| Residential Building Inspector | $48,597 | $4,050 | $23.36 | 28,745 |
| Electrical Inspector | $43,943 | $3,662 | $21.13 | 42,321 |
| Construction Inspector | $52,306 | $4,359 | $25.15 | 42,007 |
Top companies hiring plumbing inspectors now:
Which companies pay plumbing inspectors the most?
Plumbing inspector salaries at City of Detroit and City of San Antonio are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average plumbing inspector salary at companies like Delaware State Government and City and County of Denver Government are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Detroit | $66,153 | $31.80 |
| 2 | City of San Antonio | $60,976 | $29.32 |
| 3 | Delaware State Government | $60,962 | $29.31 |
| 4 | City and County of Denver Government | $59,652 | $28.68 |
| 5 | King County | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| 6 | Franklin County Home Health Agency | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| 7 | Frederick County | $54,378 | $26.14 |
| 8 | City of Sunny Isles Beach | $54,112 | $26.02 |
| 9 | City of Houston | $53,555 | $25.75 |
| 10 | Arlington County, VA | $53,526 | $25.73 |
| 11 | City Of Toledo | $53,050 | $25.50 |
| 12 | Lake County | $52,562 | $25.27 |
| 13 | Minnesota State Fair | $51,733 | $24.87 |
| 14 | Clover Leaf Solutions | $51,164 | $24.60 |
| 15 | City Of Doral | $46,782 | $22.49 |
| 16 | City of El Paso, Texas - Municipal Government | $46,235 | $22.23 |
| 17 | The City of Frederick | $46,128 | $22.18 |
| 18 | Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County | $45,931 | $22.08 |
| 19 | City of Ann Arbor | $45,689 | $21.97 |
| 20 | SAFEbuilt | $45,675 | $21.96 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Plumbing inspector salary trends
The average plumbing inspector salary has risen by $7,571 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average plumbing inspector earned $41,591 annually, but today, they earn $49,162 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for plumbing inspectors over the last decade.
Compare plumbing inspector salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average plumbing inspector salary over time
Compare plumbing inspector salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Plumbing inspector salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,200 | $23.64 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $47,500 | $22.83 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | $46,700 | $22.45 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $46,200 | $22.22 | +1.0% |
| 2021 | $45,700 | $21.99 | +1.9% |
Recently added plumbing inspector salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safebuilt | Plumbing Inspector | Antioch, CA | 06/25/2025 | $62,610 |
| Safebuilt | Plumbing Inspector | Antioch, IL | 06/24/2025 | $62,610 |
| Prince William County Government | Plumbing Inspector | Williamsburg, VA | 06/13/2025 | $49,608 |
| Hr Green | Plumbing Inspector | McHenry, IL | 06/13/2025 | $74,089 |
| Bureau Veritas | Plumbing Inspector-Cap Government-Fort | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 06/06/2025 | $73,045 |
| State of Kentucky | Plumbing Inspector I | Kentucky | 05/20/2025 | $38,140 |
| Safebuilt | Plumbing Inspector | Pingree Grove, IL | 05/17/2025 | $73,045 |
| State of Arkansas | Plumbing Inspector | Little Rock, AR | 05/17/2025 | $40,340 |
| St. Louis County (Mo | Plumbing Inspector | Clayton, MO | 04/25/2025 | $48,210 |
| State of Kentucky | Plumbing Inspector I | Kentucky | 04/24/2025 | $38,140 |
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