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 Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
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.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
High school diploma, ICC apprentice certification, NEC code basics
ICC residential/commercial electrical inspector license, job site audits
High-voltage industrial inspection, forensic investigation, master license
Municipal department management, code adoption hearings, staff oversight
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Electrical Inspector: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Skilled Trades Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Skilled Trades occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
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
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 area | Median annual wage | Vs 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% |