Construction and building inspectors: licensing, jobs and pay in the United States
137,210 people work as construction and building inspectors in the United States, and the median pay is $72,120 a year (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024).
The Census Bureau counts 7,496 building inspection businesses with employees, with 28,755 employees and a payroll of $1,743,845,000 a year (2023 County Business Patterns).
Figures last updated on .
- Jobs
- 137,210
- Median pay, a year
- $72,120
- Businesses with employees
- 7,496
Construction and building inspectors by state
| State | Jobs | Median pay, a year | Businesses with employees | Businesses per 10,000 homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 15,920 | $62,110 | 641 | 0.5 |
| California | 14,010 | $101,160 | 1,001 | 0.7 |
| Florida | 11,270 | $65,340 | 1,087 | 1.1 |
| New York | 10,160 | $78,570 | 325 | 0.4 |
| New Jersey | 7,040 | $82,210 | 155 | 0.4 |
| North Carolina | 6,020 | $65,830 | 303 | 0.6 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,570 | $63,180 | 240 | 0.4 |
| Virginia | 5,260 | $69,960 | 152 | 0.4 |
| Georgia | 4,270 | $64,290 | 221 | 0.5 |
| Massachusetts | 4,000 | $79,220 | 117 | 0.4 |
| Arizona | 3,580 | $73,040 | 192 | 0.6 |
| Colorado | 3,540 | $78,940 | 221 | 0.9 |
| Illinois | 3,350 | $73,050 | 234 | 0.4 |
| Maryland | 3,170 | $71,990 | 136 | 0.5 |
| Ohio | 3,170 | $70,890 | 190 | 0.4 |
| Michigan | 3,080 | $69,890 | 151 | 0.3 |
| Washington | 2,960 | $89,360 | 208 | 0.6 |
| Indiana | 2,070 | $63,750 | 118 | 0.4 |
| South Carolina | 1,960 | $60,050 | 113 | 0.5 |
| Tennessee | 1,810 | $59,850 | 115 | 0.4 |
| Oklahoma | 1,730 | $58,810 | 76 | 0.4 |
| Missouri | 1,690 | $62,230 | 124 | 0.4 |
| Oregon | 1,670 | $82,220 | 108 | 0.6 |
| Minnesota | 1,300 | $83,890 | 127 | 0.5 |
| Louisiana | 1,290 | $69,150 | 79 | 0.4 |
| Iowa | 1,260 | $63,830 | 48 | 0.3 |
| Utah | 1,260 | $71,040 | 95 | 0.8 |
| Wisconsin | 1,200 | $70,700 | 115 | 0.4 |
| Alabama | 1,110 | $61,500 | 81 | 0.3 |
| Kentucky | 1,060 | $63,770 | 61 | 0.3 |
| Nevada | 1,050 | $76,560 | 81 | 0.6 |
| Kansas | 1,010 | $61,850 | 52 | 0.4 |
| Connecticut | 990 | $87,290 | 60 | 0.4 |
| Mississippi | 850 | $49,750 | 21 | 0.2 |
| Maine | 710 | $65,670 | 36 | 0.5 |
| Idaho | 670 | $65,720 | 49 | 0.6 |
| Arkansas | 650 | $52,970 | 46 | 0.3 |
| Delaware | 650 | $64,990 | 24 | 0.5 |
| Hawaii | 610 | $69,560 | 32 | 0.6 |
| New Mexico | 610 | $62,470 | 39 | 0.4 |
| Nebraska | 520 | $70,730 | 29 | 0.3 |
| West Virginia | 520 | $57,240 | 15 | 0.2 |
| New Hampshire | 490 | $66,750 | 21 | 0.3 |
| Montana | 340 | $60,500 | 45 | 0.9 |
| District of Columbia | 300 | $91,630 | 9 | 0.2 |
| Rhode Island | 280 | $72,790 | 32 | 0.7 |
| Wyoming | 280 | $60,320 | 19 | 0.7 |
| Alaska | 270 | $94,030 | 17 | 0.5 |
| South Dakota | 220 | $63,320 | 12 | 0.3 |
| North Dakota | 210 | $74,970 | 9 | 0.2 |
| Vermont | 130 | $66,130 | 14 | 0.4 |
The highest median pay is in California ($101,160), Alaska ($94,030), District of Columbia ($91,630).
The lowest is in Mississippi ($49,750), Arkansas ($52,970), West Virginia ($57,240).
What construction and building inspectors earn
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Median pay, a year | $72,120 |
| Median pay, an hour | $34.67 |
| 10th percentile | $46,560 |
| 25th percentile | $57,300 |
| 75th percentile | $92,330 |
| 90th percentile | $112,320 |
| Average pay, a year | $76,430 |
Federal rules and model codes for construction and building inspectors
Work for pay that disturbs more than 6 square feet of paint inside, or 20 square feet outside, in a home or child-occupied facility built before 1978 must be done by an EPA- or state-certified firm, directed by a certified renovator and done with lead-safe work practices; replacing windows always counts (40 CFR part 745, subpart E).
Lead abatement, lead inspections and risk assessments in pre-1978 housing must be done by individuals and firms certified by EPA or by a state EPA has authorized (40 CFR part 745, subpart L).
Structural, roofing and finish work on homes is inspected against a building code most states and cities adopt from the International Residential Code, with their own edition and amendments.
A model code becomes law only where a state or city adopts it; the building or licensing department says which edition applies.
- EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E)
- EPA lead-based paint activities: abatement, inspection and risk assessment (40 CFR part 745, subpart L)
- International Residential Code and International Building Code (ICC)
Licenses for construction and building inspectors
Licensing for this trade is set by each state, and often by the city or county as well; each state’s page links the official license lookup for it.
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Questions about Construction and building inspectors
How much do construction and building inspectors make?
The median pay for construction and building inspectors in the United States is $72,120 a year, and half earn between $57,300 and $92,330 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024).
How many construction and building inspectors are there in the United States?
137,210 people work as construction and building inspectors, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2024 count of jobs.
Where do construction and building inspectors earn the most?
The highest median pay is in California ($101,160), Alaska ($94,030), District of Columbia ($91,630).
Do construction and building inspectors need a license?
Licensing is set by each state, and often by the city or county as well; the US Department of Labor’s License Finder lists the licenses each state requires and the agency that issues each.
Sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
- US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023
- US Department of Labor, CareerOneStop License Finder
- EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E)
- EPA lead-based paint activities: abatement, inspection and risk assessment (40 CFR part 745, subpart L)
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them. Rules are summarized from their official text, which governs; this page is not legal advice, and a state or city may add requirements of its own.
Figures last updated on .