Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Iowa
Construction and Building Inspectors in Iowa earn a median of $71,630 a year ($34.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,380 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $74,690. Iowa ranks 26th of 51 states for construction and building inspectors pay. There are 0.73 construction and building inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $71,050, close to the median.
Pay range for construction and building inspectors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| 25th percentile | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Median | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| 75th percentile | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,380 | $43.45 |
| Average (mean) | $71,050 | $34.16 |
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 | $5,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,984.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,755 |
| Weekly | $1,377.50 |
| Hourly | $34.44 |
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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $79,740 | 40 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $58,490 | $28.12 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $57,980 | $27.87 |
| Fence Erector | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $49,870 | $23.98 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $45,640 | $21.94 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $115,300 | $55.43 |
| Construction Laborer | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Electrician | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $78,510 | $37.75 |
| Carpenter | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $58,220 | $27.99 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for construction and building inspectors in Iowa is $71,630 a year, or $34.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction and building inspectors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of construction and building inspectors in Iowa earn at least $90,380 a year. The top 25% earn $82,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction and building inspectors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,470 a year, and a quarter of construction and building inspectors earn $60,720 or less.
How many construction and building inspectors work in Iowa?
About 1,140 construction and building inspectors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.