Construction and Building Inspectors pay in California
In California, the median pay for construction and building inspectors is $48.70 an hour ($101,290 a year). About 13,420 people work in this job there.
That is 36% higher than the U.S. median ($74,690). California ranks 2nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for construction and building inspectors in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $27.03 | $56,220 |
| 25% of workers | $36.62 | $76,160 |
| Half of workers (median) | $48.70 | $101,290 |
| 75% of workers | $61.80 | $128,530 |
| 90% of workers | $77.67 | $161,550 |
Construction and Building Inspectors pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $129,750 | 860 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $125,130 | 2,380 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $112,550 | 210 |
| Vallejo | $108,180 | 190 |
| Napa | $106,410 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $103,980 | 1,060 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $102,060 | 140 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $101,340 | 130 |
| Salinas | $100,830 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $100,280 | 3,870 |
| Yuba City | $100,240 | 40 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $98,680 | 60 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $98,580 | 1,330 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $89,950 | 1,160 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $84,240 | 220 |
| Chico | $83,480 | 50 |
| Fresno | $80,850 | 280 |
| Modesto | $80,660 | 120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $80,320 | 120 |
| Visalia | $77,680 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $76,480 | 290 |
| Redding | $75,960 | 70 |
| El Centro | $72,860 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for construction and building inspectors
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: 0% over ten years, little or no change · about 14,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $57,000 |
| Electricians | $76,160 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 |
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 |
| Compliance Officers | $96,980 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 |
| Construction Managers | $133,160 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $83,490 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.