Transportation Inspectors Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
In Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, transportation inspectors earn $119,640 at the median — $57.52 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $160K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $107,658 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 31.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $120K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About transportation inspectors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level transportation inspectors (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $120K.Top earners bring in $160K or more - a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Transportation Inspectors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $138K | +61% | 200 |
| Idaho | $107K | +25% | 90 |
| Hawaii | $106K | +23% | 170 |
| Oklahoma | $104K | +22% | 190 |
| North Dakota | $104K | +22% | 60 |
| District of Columbia | $104K | +21% | 140 |
| Kansas | $104K | +21% | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $100K | +17% | 100 |
| Georgia | $98K | +14% | 830 |
| Nevada | $98K | +14% | 230 |
| Washington | $97K | +14% | 420 |
| Maryland | $95K | +11% | 250 |
| Iowa | $95K | +11% | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $93K | +8% | 510 |
| New York | $91K | +6% | 3,730 |
Track transportation inspectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do transportation inspectors make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $119,640 a year - that works out to about $57.52 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,930, and experienced transportation inspectors can clear $159,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $120K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,711/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 32.4% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median transportation inspectors salary is worth about $107,658 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.