How much does an inspector make in California?
$54,300a year
Median yearly pay for inspectors in California. That is $26.11 an hour or $4,525 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.11
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among states
- 15 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 61,130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,750Median: $54,300Highest 10%: $88,210
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,750 | $18.63 | |
| 25th | $45,630 | $21.94 | |
| Median | $54,300 | $26.11 | |
| 75th | $68,580 | $32.97 | |
| 90th | $88,210 | $42.41 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Hanford, CA | $62,480 |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,340 |
| San Jose, CA | $60,610 |
| San Diego, CA | $59,550 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $57,840 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $56,890 |
| Vallejo, CA | $55,700 |
| Sacramento, CA | $54,450 |
| Modesto, CA | $53,560 |
| Redding, CA | $51,690 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $51,560 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $51,520 |
| Oxnard, CA | $51,240 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $51,210 |
| Merced, CA | $49,940 |
| Yuba City, CA | $49,600 |
| Napa, CA | $49,400 |
| Stockton, CA | $48,020 |
| Riverside, CA | $47,140 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $46,710 |
| El Centro, CA | $46,130 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,030 |
| Chico, CA | $44,680 |
| Fresno, CA | $44,550 |
| Salinas, CA | $44,500 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for inspectors.
| 12. Rhode Island | $54,940 |
| 13. New Hampshire | $54,800 |
| 14. Missouri | $54,420 |
| 15. California | $54,300 |
| 16. Oregon | $54,120 |
| 17. Kansas | $53,680 |
| 18. Maine | $53,570 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an inspector make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $26.11 ($54,300 a year).
Do inspectors make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $54,300 against $48,570 nationally, 12% more.
Where does California rank for inspector pay?
California ranks 15 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays inspectors the most?
Hanford-Corcoran, CA, with a median of $62,480 a year.
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.