Skilled Trades SOC 47-4011 Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparation ● 2026 BLS Empirical Benchmark

Electrical Inspector Salaries & Wage Percentiles

Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology

Examine the installation of electrical systems and equipment to ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety regulations, and building standards.

National Median Wage
$74,690 / yr
$35.91 / hour
National Employment 128,320 Reported BLS Workforce
Highest-Paying State Alaska $106,780 / yr Median
Top Metro Market San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,750 / yr Median

National Wage Percentile Spectrum

Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).

Spread Delta (P90 - P10) $67,060 / yr
10th (Entry) $47,140 $22.66/hr
25th (Junior) $58,860 $28.30/hr
50th (Median) $74,690 $35.91/hr
75th (Senior) $94,710 $45.53/hr
90th (Master) $114,200 $54.90/hr

Nationwide State Salary Rankings

State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.

Rank State Median Salary Hourly Rate CoL Adjusted Real Wage Total Employed Top Metro in State CoL Index
#1 Alaska AK $106,780 $51.34/hr $89,580 160 Anchorage, AK 119.2
#2 Connecticut CT $97,686 $46.96/hr $77,344 1,350 Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT 126.3
#3 California CA $95,238 $45.79/hr $63,875 12,870 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 149.1
#4 Washington WA $93,132 $44.78/hr $81,623 2,570 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 114.1
#5 Minnesota MN $87,600 $42.12/hr $82,563 1,080 Rochester, MN 106.1
#6 Oregon OR $81,366 $39.12/hr $66,259 1,750 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 122.8
#7 Montana MT $80,900 $38.90/hr $72,491 170 Bozeman, MT 111.6
#8 Massachusetts MA $80,800 $38.85/hr $61,773 4,060 Amherst Town-Northampton, MA 130.8

Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings

High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.

860 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,778/mo
$129,750 / yr median
$62.38 / hour
2,380 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $3,003/mo
$125,130 / yr median
$60.16 / hour
210 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,711/mo
$112,550 / yr median
$54.11 / hour
Vallejo, CA COLI 150.7
190 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $1,876/mo
$108,180 / yr median
$52.01 / hour
Anchorage, AK COLI 119.2
160 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $1,169/mo
$106,780 / yr median
$51.34 / hour
Napa, CA COLI 167.7
50 Jobs · HUD 1BR: $2,580/mo
$106,410 / yr median
$51.16 / hour

Career Ladder & Progression Stages

Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.

Inspector Trainee0-2 Years
$50,000

High school diploma, ICC apprentice certification, NEC code basics

Certified Electrical Inspector2-5 Years
$72,000

ICC residential/commercial electrical inspector license, job site audits

Senior Code Compliance Inspector5-8 Years
$90,000

High-voltage industrial inspection, forensic investigation, master license

Chief Electrical Inspector8+ Years
$115,000

Municipal department management, code adoption hearings, staff oversight

Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities

Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.

Compliance Officers$80,730
86% Skill Overlap+$6,040 delta
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$64,950
79% Skill Overlap-$9,740 delta
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$79,920
70% Skill Overlap+$5,230 delta
Transportation Inspectors$92,100
50% Skill Overlap+$17,410 delta

Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions

Electrical Inspector Salaries & Wage Percentiles Overview

Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Electrical Inspector. Official 2026 economic data for Electrical Inspector compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
What is the national median salary for Electrical Inspector in 2026?

National compensation benchmarks for Electrical Inspector range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.

Electrical Inspector: Where the Pay Is Highest

The national median for Electrical Inspector is $74,690 per year ($35.91/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 338 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $45,740 in Bowling Green, KY to $129,750 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.

Top-paying metropolitan areas for Electrical Inspector

Metropolitan areaMedian annual wageVs national
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$129,750+73.7%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$125,130+67.5%
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA$112,550+50.7%
Vallejo, CA$108,180+44.8%
Anchorage, AK$106,780+43.0%
Napa, CA$106,410+42.5%
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$103,980+39.2%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,830+37.7%
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT$102,130+36.7%
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$102,060+36.6%
Stockton-Lodi, CA$101,340+35.7%
Salinas, CA$100,830+35.0%