Construction and Building Inspectors Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $78,110 +8.3% vs national
Median hourly $37.55
10th percentile $48,710
90th percentile $123,960
Employed locally 2,370
National median $72,120

Compare Construction and Building Inspectors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Construction and Building Inspectors
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,710
    25th
    $58,910
    50th (median)
    $78,110
    75th
    $101,720
    90th
    $123,960

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Construction and Building Inspectors salary vs area income 88% Median Construction and Building Inspectors salary is 12% 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
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $102,380
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $102,000
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $87,290
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $83,970
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $80,380
    Paducah, KY-IL $78,360

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $68,410
    Carpenters $76,510
    Electricians $99,540
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $104,790
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $98,890
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $101,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Chicago, IL-IN is $37.55, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $61.16 or more per hour.

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

    The median Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 8.3% above 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Construction and Building Inspectors (10th percentile) earn around $48,710 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,910.