How much does a transportation inspector make in Chicago?
$55,070a year
Median yearly pay for transportation inspectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $26.48 an hour or $4,589 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.48
- Vs. national median
- -40%
- Rank among cities
- 72 of 80
- Jobs in the area
- 570
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,500Median: $55,070Highest 10%: $137,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,500 | $17.55 | |
| 25th | $39,920 | $19.19 | |
| Median | $55,070 | $26.48 | |
| 75th | $105,700 | $50.80 | |
| 90th | $137,100 | $65.89 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for transportation inspectors.
| St. Louis, MO | $77,990 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,190 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation inspector make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $26.48 ($55,070 a year).
Do transportation inspectors make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $55,070 against $92,100 nationally, 40% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $47,990, so Chicago pays 15% more.
Where does Chicago rank for transportation inspector pay?
72 of 80 metro areas with data.
How much does a transportation inspector make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,500 or less a year; the top 10% make $137,100 or more.
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.