Inspector and Tester Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $68,634 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $67,306 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $62,878 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $61,106 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $58,450 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $57,564 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $56,678 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $55,350 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $54,022 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $50,922 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $50,922 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $50,479 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $49,594 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $48,708 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $48,708 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $47,822 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $46,494 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $46,494 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $45,166 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $45,166 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $44,280 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $44,280 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $43,837 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $43,837 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $43,394 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $42,066 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $42,066 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $41,180 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $41,180 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $41,180 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $40,738 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $40,738 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $40,295 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $39,852 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $38,966 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $38,966 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $38,966 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $38,966 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $38,966 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $38,966 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $38,524 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $38,524 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $38,524 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $38,081 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $37,638 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $37,638 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $37,195 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $36,752 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $36,752 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $35,424 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $34,538 | -22.0% | High |
A Inspector and Tester's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Inspector and Testers typically earn $30,230–$38,030 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $55,580–$61,898 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Inspector and Tester role currently has high demand in the job market with a 2.0% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Manufacturing sector.
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What is the average salary for a Inspector and Tester?The average salary for a Inspector and Tester in the United States is $44,280 per year, with a median of $41,280.
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What is the starting salary for a Inspector and Tester?Entry-level Inspector and Testers typically earn between $30,230 and $38,030 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Inspector and Testers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Inspector and Testers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Inspector and Tester make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $44,280, a Inspector and Tester earns approximately $21.29 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Inspector and Tester a good career in 2026?Yes — the Inspector and Tester role has high demand with 2.0% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.