Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Ames, IA
Construction and Building Inspectors in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $79,740 a year ($38.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,740 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $74,690. Pay here is 11% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $71,630. There are 0.76 construction and building inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $76,960, close to the median.
Pay range for construction and building inspectors in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,940 | $27.38 |
| 25th percentile | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Median | $79,740 | $38.34 |
| 75th percentile | $89,790 | $43.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,740 | $45.55 |
| Average (mean) | $76,960 | $37.00 |
Half of construction and building inspectors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,645 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,322.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,066.92 |
| Weekly | $1,533.46 |
| Hourly | $38.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction and Building Inspectors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $78,030 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $73,910 | 390 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $73,440 | 110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $71,330 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $68,770 | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $68,210 | 150 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $65,830 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for construction and building inspectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $102,410 |
| California | $101,290 |
| Connecticut | $98,670 |
| Washington | $96,140 |
| Minnesota | $88,670 |
| District of Columbia | $86,200 |
| Oregon | $84,510 |
| Massachusetts | $83,200 |
| New Jersey | $81,760 |
| Colorado | $79,950 |
See Construction and Building Inspectors pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $72,260 | $34.74 |
| Carpenter | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Electrician | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,230 | $27.99 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $64,420 | $30.97 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction and building inspectors make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for construction and building inspectors in the Ames, IA metro area is $79,740 a year, or $38.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction and building inspectors make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of construction and building inspectors in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $94,740 a year. The top 25% earn $89,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction and building inspectors in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,940 a year, and a quarter of construction and building inspectors earn $63,240 or less.
How many construction and building inspectors work in Ames, IA?
About 40 construction and building inspectors are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.