Construction and Building Inspectors Salary in California
Construction and Building Inspectors in California make a median of $101,160 a year, or about $48.64 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $101K get you in California?
About construction and building inspectors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level construction and building inspectors (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K.Top earners bring in $162K or more - a $110K spread from bottom to top.
Construction and Building Inspectors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $101K | +40% | 14,010 |
| Alaska | $94K | +30% | 270 |
| District of Columbia | $92K | +27% | 300 |
| Washington | $89K | +24% | 2,960 |
| Connecticut | $87K | +21% | 990 |
| Minnesota | $84K | +16% | 1,300 |
| Oregon | $82K | +14% | 1,670 |
| New Jersey | $82K | +14% | 7,040 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +10% | 4,000 |
| New York | $79K | +9% | 10,160 |
| Nevada | $77K | +6% | 1,050 |
| North Dakota | $75K | +4% | 210 |
| Illinois | $73K | +1% | 3,350 |
| Arizona | $73K | +1% | 3,580 |
| Rhode Island | $73K | +1% | 280 |
Track construction and building inspectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do construction and building inspectors make in California?
The median is $101,160 a year - that works out to about $48.64 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,480, and experienced construction and building inspectors can clear $162,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,167/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 35.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a construction and building inspectors salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median construction and building inspectors salary is worth about $101,160 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do construction and building inspectors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.