Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Columbia, SC
Construction and Building Inspectors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $62,410 a year ($30.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,110 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,690. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $58,840. There are 1.1 construction and building inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,140, close to the median.
Pay range for construction and building inspectors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,970 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Median | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| 75th percentile | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,110 | $40.44 |
| Average (mean) | $62,140 | $29.87 |
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 | $5,200.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,600.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,400.38 |
| Weekly | $1,200.19 |
| Hourly | $30.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $75,570 | 1,760 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $63,340 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $60,140 | 460 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $59,600 | 170 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $58,890 | 190 |
| Florence, SC | $57,590 | 60 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $56,160 | 120 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $45,700 | 600 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Construction Laborer | $42,630 | $20.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Electrician | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $48,410 | $23.27 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $52,070 | $25.04 |
| Carpenter | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,680 | $24.36 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Helpers--Electricians | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Glazier | $51,310 | $24.67 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for construction and building inspectors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $62,410 a year, or $30.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction and building inspectors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of construction and building inspectors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $84,110 a year. The top 25% earn $77,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction and building inspectors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,970 a year, and a quarter of construction and building inspectors earn $47,100 or less.
How many construction and building inspectors work in Columbia, SC?
About 450 construction and building inspectors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.