Construction and Building Inspector Salary in Washington, DC
Construction and Building Inspectors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $80,150 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,371 take-home, or $5,114 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction and building inspector salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,803
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,969
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,162
- District of Columbia income tax$3,844
- Take-home pay$61,371
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Construction and Building Inspector pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,460 | $28.11 | $46,799 | $3,900 |
| 25th percentile | $68,740 | $33.05 | $54,167 | $4,514 |
| Median (50th) | $80,150 | $38.53 | $61,371 | $5,114 |
| 75th percentile | $99,910 | $48.03 | $73,593 | $6,133 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,510 | $56.01 | $83,860 | $6,988 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,150 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction and building inspector's $61,371 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,364 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.4× the national concentration of construction and building inspector jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for construction and building inspectors, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #9 of 11 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $125,130 | $87,758 | $75,907 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,280 | $72,977 | $64,259 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $90,800 | $68,391 | $60,758 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $84,620 | $64,349 | $59,436 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $76,650 | $61,046 | $59,086 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $75,710 | $59,768 | $58,279 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $72,410 | $56,635 | $56,602 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $66,780 | $55,810 | $56,586 |
| 9 | Washington, DC | $80,150 | $61,371 | $56,364 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 11 metros →
About the job: construction and building inspectors
Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- 0.0% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction and building inspector make in Washington, DC?
The median construction and building inspector salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $80,150 a year, or about $38.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,740 and $99,910.
What is a construction and building inspector’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $80,150 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $61,371 a year ($5,114 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,844 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a construction and building inspector?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $74,690. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,364 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #9 of 11 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction and building inspector afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median construction and building inspector’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,540
- Electrician — $75,930
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $71,860
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
- Carpenter — $60,800
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $58,350
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $50,560
- Construction Laborer — $47,430