Construction and Building Inspectors Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $70,060 -2.9% vs national
Median hourly $33.68
10th percentile $51,980
90th percentile $88,000
Employed locally 50
National median $72,120

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Construction and Building Inspectors
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,980
    25th
    $61,420
    50th (median)
    $70,060
    75th
    $87,410
    90th
    $88,000

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Construction and Building Inspectors salary vs area income 99% Median Construction and Building Inspectors salary is 1% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Construction and Building Inspectors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,160
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $125,150
    Vallejo, CA $113,030
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $109,070
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $103,480
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $102,380

    Nearby metros — Construction and Building Inspectors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $109,070
    California $101,160
    District of Columbia $91,630
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $88,150
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $79,500
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $79,130

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $48,520
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $75,910
    Carpenters $57,170
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $61,540
    Electricians $64,360
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $62,190

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Construction and Building Inspectors make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Ames, IA is $33.68, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.55 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Construction and Building Inspectors salaries?

    The median Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Ames, IA is 2.9% below the national median of $72,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Construction and Building Inspectors in Ames?

    Entry-level Construction and Building Inspectors (10th percentile) earn around $51,980 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,420.