California Median
$101,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $74,690
State Rank
#2 of 51
13,420 employed here
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors make in California?
Construction and Building Inspectors in California take home a median of $101,290 annually — roughly $48.70 an hour — which runs 36% above the national median of $74,690.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $56,220 while the top 10% make $161,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,160 and $128,530 a year.
Construction and Building Inspectors salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,220 | $27.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $76,160 | $36.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,290 | $48.70 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $128,530 | $61.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,550 | $77.67 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Construction and Building Inspectors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Construction and Building Inspectors salary in other states
Alaska $102,410Connecticut $98,670Washington $96,140Minnesota $88,670District of Columbia $86,200Oregon $84,510Massachusetts $83,200New Jersey $81,760Colorado $79,950New York $79,460Hawaii $79,320North Dakota $78,570Illinois $78,340Rhode Island $77,420Maryland $76,640Montana $75,700Virginia $75,660Wisconsin $75,610Nevada $75,290Maine $74,670Ohio $74,490Utah $74,130Arizona $73,440Delaware $72,700Iowa $71,630Michigan $71,040Louisiana $68,260Florida $68,170Vermont $66,580North Carolina $66,080Georgia $65,980Pennsylvania $65,870New Hampshire $65,640New Mexico $65,420Nebraska $65,000South Dakota $64,940Texas $64,810West Virginia $64,000Idaho $63,570Kansas $63,150Missouri $62,970Indiana $62,850Wyoming $61,870Alabama $61,300Kentucky $60,200Tennessee $59,870Oklahoma $59,280South Carolina $58,840Arkansas $52,700Mississippi $50,250
Working as Construction and Building Inspectors in California
Nationally, about 147,000 people work as Construction and Building Inspectors in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($101,290) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors make in California?
The median Construction and Building Inspectors salary in California is $101,290 per year, or about $48.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,220 at the entry level to $161,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Construction and Building Inspectors about 36% more than the national median of $74,690. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Construction and Building Inspectors?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,290 a year. About 13,420 Construction and Building Inspectors are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Construction and Building Inspectors salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.