Transportation Inspector Salary
Transportation Inspectors earn a median $92,100 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
U.S. median
$92,100
$44.28 per hour
Range
$40,330 – $138,670
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
24,500
across the U.S.
▲7.4%
Pay trend: The median for transportation inspectors in the U.S. rose from $85,750 (May 2024) to $92,100 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 5.0%.
What transportation inspectors do
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 2,300
Employment of transportation inspectors is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Transportation Inspector take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$73,622
per year · effective tax rate 20.1%
$6,135Monthly
$3,068Twice a month
$2,832Every 2 weeks
$35.40Hourly
- Federal income tax$11,432
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,710
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,335
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$73,622
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,330 | $19.39 | $34,585 |
| 25th percentile | $58,780 | $28.26 | $49,410 |
| Median (50th) | $92,100 | $44.28 | $73,622 |
| 75th percentile | $108,890 | $52.35 | $85,434 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,670 | $66.67 | $106,047 |
Best cities for transportation inspectors (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $93,420 | $70,079 | $62,258 | 4,000 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $93,420
Transportation Inspector salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $123,120 | −10.8% | $95,419 | $81,540 – $164,260 | 170 |
| Iowa | $116,850 | +23.0% | $87,245 | $54,250 – $159,730 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $111,070 | +6.3% | $82,515 | $107,370 – $139,840 | 470 |
| Hawaii | $108,270 | +2.5% | $78,300 | $51,960 – $151,670 | 150 |
| Alabama | $108,140 | +53.3% | $79,764 | $69,150 – $112,530 | 670 |
| North Dakota | $106,330 | +1.9% | $82,819 | $68,500 – $136,990 | 60 |
| Washington | $104,250 | +7.1% | $82,170 | $70,270 – $167,420 | 490 |
| Kansas | $103,380 | −0.4% | $76,589 | $39,850 – $132,830 | 210 |
| Florida | $101,470 | +16.9% | $80,214 | $54,300 – $141,460 | 1,630 |
| Texas | $101,440 | +20.5% | $80,193 | $43,020 – $149,430 | 2,290 |
| Maryland | $100,700 | +5.5% | $75,253 | $55,930 – $150,030 | 250 |
| Georgia | $95,030 | −3.2% | $71,374 | $40,460 – $141,150 | 880 |
| New York | $93,420 | +2.5% | $70,079 | $66,620 – $97,840 | 3,720 |
| Minnesota | $92,860 | — | $69,366 | $35,050 – $151,850 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $91,520 | +14.2% | $69,756 | $66,910 – $126,820 | 330 |
| District of Columbia | $89,960 | −13.5% | $67,439 | $56,820 – $185,220 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $85,130 | +1.9% | $65,612 | $35,460 – $119,180 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $84,470 | +11.8% | $65,393 | $35,220 – $136,970 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $83,970 | +1.8% | $65,082 | $42,130 – $136,990 | 260 |
| California | $83,000 | +9.8% | $62,652 | $40,790 – $144,460 | 1,790 |
| Colorado | $81,820 | −10.7% | $63,499 | $37,470 – $148,820 | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,550 | +8.1% | $63,697 | $55,030 – $161,470 | 340 |
| South Carolina | $80,490 | +1.8% | $61,782 | $67,920 – $100,420 | 440 |
| Indiana | $80,330 | +2.9% | $63,002 | $36,430 – $134,720 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $79,650 | −14.2% | $61,101 | $39,010 – $113,760 | — |
| Tennessee | $78,430 | +5.3% | $64,006 | $40,410 – $135,220 | 420 |
| Oregon | $78,110 | −8.6% | $57,775 | $48,840 – $140,030 | 250 |
| Louisiana | $77,460 | −2.3% | $61,386 | $29,160 – $136,990 | 130 |
| Ohio | $77,010 | −3.6% | $61,671 | $37,700 – $143,040 | 430 |
| Wisconsin | $75,260 | −25.0% | $59,167 | $69,050 – $134,670 | 120 |
| South Dakota | $70,080 | −8.9% | $58,131 | $47,340 – $141,130 | 100 |
| Virginia | $68,610 | −6.1% | $53,966 | $47,540 – $142,480 | 330 |
| Missouri | $64,690 | +2.8% | $52,055 | $44,370 – $136,970 | 380 |
| Utah | $64,480 | +2.4% | $52,054 | $41,970 – $140,470 | 210 |
| Maine | $63,750 | +15.4% | $50,282 | $42,420 – $159,830 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $63,690 | −0.1% | $51,527 | $33,360 – $113,460 | 230 |
| Montana | $62,810 | +28.2% | $50,452 | $37,860 – $124,850 | 180 |
| Arizona | $62,250 | +35.5% | $50,850 | $34,800 – $132,270 | 830 |
| West Virginia | $58,670 | +15.6% | $47,416 | $44,490 – $128,670 | 90 |
| Idaho | $54,330 | −49.4% | $44,063 | $39,800 – $156,640 | 170 |
| Nevada | $50,060 | −48.9% | $42,403 | $44,670 – $119,100 | 430 |
| New Jersey | $49,250 | −10.2% | $40,579 | $37,010 – $105,680 | 930 |
| Illinois | $47,990 | −16.7% | $38,509 | $36,500 – $129,600 | 1,130 |
| Michigan | $35,890 | −55.9% | $29,743 | $33,440 – $139,390 | 540 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Technician | $59,090 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $57,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.3% |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $45,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $40,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.6% |
| Passenger Attendant | $37,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.0% |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant | $35,670 | No formal educational credential | +3.8% |
| Parking Attendant | $35,150 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $92,460 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +4.0% |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $86,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.7% |
| Locomotive Engineer | $81,410 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a transportation inspector make?
The national median salary for transportation inspectors is $92,100 a year ($44.28 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,330 and the top 10% earn over $138,670. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays transportation inspectors the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $123,120. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many transportation inspectors are there in the U.S.?
About 24,500 people work as transportation inspectors nationwide.