Transportation Inspector Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Transportation Inspectors in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$78,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $92,100
State Rank
#26 of 44
420 employed here

How much does a Transportation Inspector make in Tennessee?

Transportation Inspectors in Tennessee take home a median of $78,430 annually — roughly $37.71 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $92,100.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $40,410 while the top 10% make $135,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,410 and $97,450 a year.

Transportation Inspector salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,410$19.43
25th percentile (early career)$40,410$19.43
50th percentile (median)$78,430$37.71
75th percentile (experienced)$97,450$46.85
90th percentile (top earners)$135,220$65.01

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 26th out of 44 states and territories for Transportation Inspector pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$123,120
2Iowa$116,850
3Oklahoma$111,070
4Hawaii$108,270
5Alabama$108,140

Working as a Transportation Inspector in Tennessee

Nationally, about 25,000 people work as Transportation Inspectors in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($78,430) 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 does a Transportation Inspector make in Tennessee?
The median Transportation Inspector salary in Tennessee is $78,430 per year, or about $37.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,410 at the entry level to $135,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Transportation Inspectors about 15% less than the national median of $92,100. Tennessee ranks 26th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Transportation Inspectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $78,430 a year. About 420 Transportation Inspectors are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Transportation Inspector 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.