Construction and Building Inspectors Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$56,220
- 25th Percentile — Junior$76,160
- 50th Percentile — Median$101,290
- 75th Percentile — Senior$128,530
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$161,550
Half of Construction and Building Inspectors in California earn more than $101,290. The top 10% make $161,550 or more, while entry-level workers start around $56,220.
Construction and Building Inspectors in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 51 states for Construction and Building Inspectors pay, at $103,850 per year (33.6% above the U.S. average of $77,730).
- 13,420 people work as Construction and Building Inspectors in California — 9.1% of all U.S. Construction and Building Inspectors jobs.
- Location quotient 0.78: Construction and Building Inspectors jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $56,220; the top 10% earn over $161,550.
- Hourly equivalent: $49.93 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among construction jobs in California, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($103,760).
Construction and Building Inspectors Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Construction and Building Inspectors here earn $103,850 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $103,850 is roughly equivalent to $73,134 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($102,330), Connecticut ($97,580), Washington ($93,070) are the closest alternatives for Construction and Building Inspectors weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $103,760/yr California 0.1% vs this role
- Pipelayers $94,440/yr California 9.1% vs this role
- Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators $94,000/yr California 9.5% vs this role
- Electricians $85,860/yr California 17.3% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $85,580/yr California 17.6% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $82,320/yr California 20.7% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $80,920/yr California 22.1% vs this role
- Carpenters $78,810/yr California 24.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Construction and Building Inspectors salary in California?
The average Construction and Building Inspectors salary in California is $103,850 per year (median $101,290), which is 33.6% above the national average of $77,730.
How does California rank for Construction and Building Inspectors pay?
California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($103,850/yr).
How much do entry-level Construction and Building Inspectors make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Construction and Building Inspectors in California earn about $56,220 per year and the 25th percentile is $76,160.
How much do Construction and Building Inspectors make per hour in California?
About $49.93 per hour, based on the $103,850 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Construction and Building Inspectors work in California?
BLS counts 13,420 Construction and Building Inspectors jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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