Construction and Building Inspectors vs. Construction Laborers: Who Earns More?
Construction and Building Inspectors out-earn Construction Laborers by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Construction and Building Inspectors land at $74,690 and Construction Laborers at $47,120. The education gap is real: construction and building inspector programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while construction laborer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Construction and Building Inspectors is Alaska ($102,410); for Construction Laborers it's Hawaii ($77,110).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Construction and Building Inspectors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Construction and Building Inspectors or Construction Laborers?
Construction and Building Inspectors earn more nationally. The median is $74,690 for Construction and Building Inspectors versus $47,120 for Construction Laborers, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Construction and Building Inspectors or Construction Laborers?
Construction Laborers has the better 10-year outlook at 7.3% projected growth, compared to -0.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Construction and Building Inspectors or Construction Laborers?
Construction and Building Inspectors typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Construction Laborers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Construction and Building Inspectors get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Construction and Building Inspectors at $102,410/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Construction and Building Inspectors vs. Construction Laborers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Construction and Building Inspectors earn $102,410 vs. $58,060 for Construction Laborers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.