Transportation Inspector Salary in Houston, TX
Transportation Inspectors in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $92,570 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,953 take-home, or $6,163 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median transportation inspector salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,535
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,739
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,342
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$73,953
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Transportation Inspector pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,940 | $18.24 | $32,665 | $2,722 |
| 25th percentile | $62,520 | $30.06 | $52,415 | $4,368 |
| Median (50th) | $92,570 | $44.50 | $73,953 | $6,163 |
| 75th percentile | $136,780 | $65.76 | $104,755 | $8,730 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,770 | $68.16 | $108,166 | $9,014 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $92,570 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median transportation inspector's $73,953 take-home pay has the buying power of $74,981 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Transportation Inspector jobs are about as common in Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for transportation inspectors, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #3 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $126,010 | $97,394 | $94,475 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $107,640 | $79,591 | $79,545 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $92,570 | $73,953 | $74,981 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $100,100 | $79,250 | $69,423 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $101,040 | $73,431 | $64,659 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $93,420 | $70,079 | $62,258 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $55,070 | $43,848 | $42,326 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $51,990 | $42,863 | $41,487 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
Transportation Inspector salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $126,010
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation inspector make in Houston, TX?
The median transportation inspector salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $92,570 a year, or about $44.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,520 and $136,780.
What is a transportation inspector’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $92,570 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $73,953 a year ($6,163 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a transportation inspector?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $92,100. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $74,981 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #3 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a transportation inspector afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median transportation inspector’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
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- Crane and Tower Operator — $75,500
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