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.
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 #38 of 63 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $129,750 | $90,426 | $81,891 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $125,130 | $87,758 | $75,907 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $102,830 | $81,171 | $73,039 |
| 4 | Hartford, CT | $99,620 | $75,009 | $73,004 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $103,980 | $75,188 | $70,486 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $94,420 | $70,357 | $67,121 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $77,730 | $63,513 | $64,766 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $76,930 | $61,617 | $64,541 |
| 38 | 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 63 metros →
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 #38 of 63 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
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker — $68,320
- Glazier — $63,310
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,660
- Sheet Metal Worker — $61,270
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining — $61,040
- Highway Maintenance Worker — $60,810
- Carpenter — $60,800
- Brickmason and Blockmason — $60,670
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer — $59,070