Transportation Inspectors Salary in California
In California, transportation inspectors earn $75,590 at the median, or about $36.34 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $76K get you in California?
About transportation inspectors
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level transportation inspectors (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $136K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Transportation Inspectors salary by metro in California
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $113K | +49% | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $100K | +33% | N/A |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $81K | +8% | 230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $75K | -1% | 150 |
| Fresno | $75K | -1% | 80 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $74K | -2% | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $73K | -3% | 140 |
| Vallejo | $72K | -5% | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $70K | -8% | 230 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $66K | -12% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track transportation inspectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do transportation inspectors make in California?
The median is $75,590 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,350, and experienced transportation inspectors can clear $136,260. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,866/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 50.8% 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 transportation 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 transportation inspectors salary is worth about $71,217 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do transportation 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.