How much does an inspector make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $23.35 an hour or $4,048 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.35
- Average (mean)
- $53,450
- Jobs
- 597,370
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,510 | $17.07 | |
| 25th | $39,890 | $19.18 | |
| Median | $48,570 | $23.35 | |
| 75th | $61,440 | $29.54 | |
| 90th | $77,860 | $37.43 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Alaska | $78,150 |
| Washington | $64,420 |
| Maryland | $61,790 |
| Hawaii | $59,740 |
| District of Columbia | $59,730 |
| Colorado | $58,350 |
| Montana | $58,070 |
| Wyoming | $57,900 |
| Delaware | $57,190 |
| Minnesota | $57,170 |
| Connecticut | $57,090 |
| Rhode Island | $54,940 |
| New Hampshire | $54,800 |
| Missouri | $54,420 |
| California | $54,300 |
| Oregon | $54,120 |
| Kansas | $53,680 |
| Maine | $53,570 |
| Massachusetts | $52,270 |
| Arizona | $52,100 |
| Nebraska | $51,270 |
| North Dakota | $50,820 |
| Iowa | $50,740 |
| New York | $49,990 |
| Oklahoma | $49,630 |
| Wisconsin | $49,610 |
| Virginia | $49,590 |
| New Mexico | $49,500 |
| Louisiana | $49,490 |
| Nevada | $49,280 |
| New Jersey | $49,140 |
| Utah | $48,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,320 |
| Illinois | $47,920 |
| Indiana | $47,900 |
| Florida | $47,540 |
| Ohio | $47,360 |
| South Dakota | $47,240 |
| West Virginia | $47,010 |
| South Carolina | $46,890 |
| North Carolina | $46,430 |
| Kentucky | $46,280 |
| Texas | $46,210 |
| Vermont | $46,210 |
| Georgia | $46,130 |
| Tennessee | $45,760 |
| Idaho | $45,130 |
| Arkansas | $44,570 |
| Michigan | $44,490 |
| Mississippi | $40,670 |
| Alabama | $40,010 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Lexington Park, MD | $92,000 |
| Seattle, WA | $76,800 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,800 |
| Bremerton, WA | $71,950 |
| Anchorage, AK | $71,470 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $68,060 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $65,840 |
| Bismarck, ND | $63,910 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $63,570 |
| Gulfport, MS | $63,520 |
| Wichita, KS | $63,030 |
| Kansas City, MO | $63,000 |
| Parkersburg, WV | $62,630 |
| Hanford, CA | $62,480 |
| Albany, NY | $62,470 |
In other countries
Inspector belongs to the international group "Product graders and testers (excluding foods and beverages)".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender$58,040
- Separating$51,610
- Crushing$48,540
- Grinding and Polishing Worker$42,660
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setter$48,990
- Cutter and Trimmer$38,020
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter$46,570
- Extruding$45,760
- Furnace$48,040
- Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker$52,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inspector make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $23.35 ($48,570 a year).
How much does an inspector make a month?
About $4,048 a month before tax, based on a median of $48,570 a year.
How much does an inspector make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,510 or less a year ($17.07 an hour); the top 10% make $77,860 or more.
Which state pays inspectors the most?
Alaska, with a median of $78,150 a year, followed by Washington ($64,420) and Maryland ($61,790).
Which city pays inspectors the most?
Lexington Park, MD, with a median of $92,000 a year.
How many inspectors are there in the United States?
About 597,370 people work as inspectors.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.