Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Tennessee
Construction and Building Inspectors in Tennessee earn a median of $59,870 a year ($28.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,600 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,690. Tennessee ranks 47th of 51 states for construction and building inspectors pay. There are 0.76 construction and building inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction and building inspectors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| 25th percentile | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Median | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| 75th percentile | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,600 | $40.67 |
| Average (mean) | $61,410 | $29.53 |
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 | $4,989.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,494.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,302.69 |
| Weekly | $1,151.35 |
| Hourly | $28.79 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $62,850 | 110 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $61,310 | 790 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,750 | 570 |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,150 | 440 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $56,820 | 110 |
| Morristown, TN | $56,300 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $55,620 | 170 |
| Jackson, TN | $54,450 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $50,720 | 30 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $60,090 | $28.89 |
| Fence Erector | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Electrician | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $58,600 | $28.17 |
| Carpenter | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,910 | $23.04 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for construction and building inspectors in Tennessee is $59,870 a year, or $28.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction and building inspectors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of construction and building inspectors in Tennessee earn at least $84,600 a year. The top 25% earn $73,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction and building inspectors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,670 a year, and a quarter of construction and building inspectors earn $48,430 or less.
How many construction and building inspectors work in Tennessee?
About 2,500 construction and building inspectors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.