The median annual wage for construction and building inspectors was $57,340 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $91,600.
Most inspectors work full time during regular business hours. However, some may work additional hours during periods of heavy construction activity. Also, if an accident occurs at a construction site, inspectors must respond immediately and may work additional hours to complete their report. Nongovernment inspectors—especially those who are self-employed—may have to work evenings and weekends. This is particularly true of home inspectors, who typically inspect homes during the day and write reports in the evening.
Union Membership
Compared with workers in all occupations, construction and building inspectors had a higher percentage of workers who belonged to a union in 2014.
Construction and Building Inspectors
Median annual wages, May 2015
Construction and building inspectors
$57,340
Construction trades workers
$41,020
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics