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Job outlook for inspectors in the United States
Inspector job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected inspector job growth rate is -3% from 2018-2028.
About -17,200 new jobs for inspectors are projected over the next decade.
Inspector salaries have increased 10% for inspectors in the last 5 years.
There are over 438,492 inspectors currently employed in the United States.
There are 17,670 active inspector job openings in the US.
The average inspector salary is $38,757.
Are inspector jobs in demand?
Inspector job and salary trends over time
Inspector jobs over time
Inspector job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 438,492 | 0.13% |
| 2020 | 436,130 | 0.13% |
| 2019 | 458,649 | 0.14% |
| 2018 | 443,686 | 0.13% |
| 2017 | 427,763 | 0.13% |
Average inspector salary over time
Inspector salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,757 | $18.63 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $37,493 | $18.03 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $36,640 | $17.62 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $35,769 | $17.20 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $35,232 | $16.94 | +2.2% |
Inspector jobs by state
Most common states for inspectors
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 76 | 6% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 64 | 5% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 50 | 5% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 31 | 5% |
| 5 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 400 | 4% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 255 | 4% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 245 | 4% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 224 | 4% |
| 9 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 31 | 4% |
| 10 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 543 | 3% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 377 | 3% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 336 | 3% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 284 | 3% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 182 | 3% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 174 | 3% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 93 | 3% |
| 17 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 84 | 3% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 54 | 3% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 29 | 3% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 22 | 3% |
Most common cities for inspectors
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tallahassee | 8 | 4% | $38,152 |
| 2 | Anaheim | 10 | 3% | $45,415 |
| 3 | Cincinnati | 9 | 3% | $37,278 |
| 4 | Irvine | 7 | 3% | $45,414 |
| 5 | Columbus | 6 | 3% | $35,726 |
| 6 | Montgomery | 6 | 3% | $32,756 |
| 7 | Atlanta | 10 | 2% | $35,235 |
| 8 | Santa Ana | 7 | 2% | $45,430 |
| 9 | Saint Paul | 6 | 2% | $38,536 |
| 10 | Phoenix | 13 | 1% | $44,285 |
| 11 | San Diego | 10 | 1% | $45,504 |
| 12 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $41,493 |
| 13 | Austin | 6 | 1% | $41,221 |
| 14 | Baltimore | 6 | 1% | $47,459 |
| 15 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $34,564 |
| 16 | Raleigh | 6 | 1% | $33,613 |
| 17 | Los Angeles | 10 | 0% | $45,511 |
| 18 | Houston | 7 | 0% | $41,135 |
Inspector job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of inspector experts
NAESA International
Robert Shepherd
NAESA International
What general advice would you give to an Inspector?
Robert Shepherd: People entering the workforce for the first time and recent grads cannot become elevator inspectors do to prerequisites required, which cannot be attained in any sort of schooling supplied in the world, there is none in existence. Th only way you get to be a certified elevator inspector is by successfully attaining a diploma from the school of hard knocks, so OJT is the only way!