Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Transportation inspectors work in a specialized role focused on overseeing transportation-related activities, guided by strong mechanical understanding, attention to detail, and critical thinking. Nationally, this occupation employs about 26,000 people, with a projected employment growth of 1.7%. The national median annual salary of $85,750 indicates that this path can offer solid earning potential for qualified candidates. The career draws on a broad mix of skills, including problem solving and decision making, project management, mathematics, science, and effective speaking and listening. Being detail oriented, capable in writing and reading, and possessing physical strength and stamina are also important. With 2,000 projected annual openings, there is steady movement into and within the field. For people who enjoy analytical thinking, mechanical topics, and structured work that relies on clear judgment and documentation, transportation inspection can be a compelling career option to explore across different regions of the country.
Transportation inspectors earn a national median annual salary of $85,750, indicating that the occupation can offer strong income potential. Pay levels vary noticeably by location. Among states, Washington shows a median salary of $104,250, and New York offers $93,420, while California reports $83,000 and Virginia $68,610. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher in some areas. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro reports a median salary of $129,480, while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim stands at $101,040 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $104,080. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro shows a median of $93,420. These differences highlight that geographic choice can significantly influence earnings. Candidates interested in maximizing income may want to pay close attention to both state and metro-level salary figures when evaluating opportunities and relocation options within this occupation.
Transportation inspectors have national employment of about 26,000, with projected employment growth of 1.7%. This indicates modest expansion rather than rapid change. In addition to growth, there are an estimated 2,000 annual openings, reflecting a mix of new positions and turnover in existing roles. The combination of a defined employment base, measured growth, and a consistent number of openings suggests ongoing, steady demand rather than a highly volatile market. The same 1.7% growth rate appears in several highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting a relatively even growth outlook in multiple regions. For job seekers, this means that opportunities are likely to arise regularly, but competition and availability will depend on local conditions and the fit between their skills and employer needs. Overall, the outlook supports transportation inspection as a stable career path for those who develop the required skills and are open to exploring different locations.
Location has a clear impact on opportunity for transportation inspectors. At the state level, California and New York stand out with the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores, 67.38 and 65.78 respectively. New York combines an opportunity score of 65.78 with a median salary of $93,420 and employment of 3,720, the highest employment count among the listed states. California offers a median salary of $83,000 and employment of 1,790. Washington and Colorado show opportunity scores above 56, with Washington offering a median salary of $104,250. Virginia has a somewhat lower median salary of $68,610 and an opportunity score of 54.96. Metro data provides even more targeted options. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro leads with an opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 4,000. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue offers the highest listed metro median salary at $129,480, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also show six-figure median pay. These figures illustrate that both opportunity scores and salary can vary significantly by region.
The typical education for transportation inspectors is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who complete secondary education and are ready to build skills on the job or through other training paths. However, success in this occupation depends on a strong and diverse skill set. Key abilities include problem solving and decision making, project management, and solid foundations in mathematics and science. Being detail oriented and strong in writing and reading supports accurate documentation and communication. Critical and analytical thinking helps with evaluating information and making sound judgments, while speaking and listening skills support effective interaction with others. Physical strength and stamina, along with mechanical aptitude, are also important. Together, these skills show that while formal education requirements are relatively modest, the occupation demands a combination of cognitive, communication, physical, and technical strengths to perform effectively and advance over time.
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