Transportation Inspector salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Transportation Inspectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $55,070 a year ($26.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,050 for the top 10%. That is 40% lower than the national median of $92,100. Pay here is 15% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $47,990. There are 0.13 transportation inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for transportation inspectors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Median | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| 75th percentile | $105,660 | $50.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,050 | $65.89 |
| Average (mean) | $73,830 | $35.50 |
Half of transportation 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 | $4,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,118.08 |
| Weekly | $1,059.04 |
| Hourly | $26.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Transportation Inspector salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $120,000 | 120 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $107,330 | 80 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $106,330 | 110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $77,990 | 140 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,190 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for transportation inspectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $123,120 |
| Iowa | $116,850 |
| Oklahoma | $111,070 |
| Hawaii | $108,270 |
| Alabama | $108,140 |
| North Dakota | $106,330 |
| Washington | $104,250 |
| Kansas | $103,380 |
| Florida | $101,470 |
| Texas | $101,440 |
See Transportation Inspector pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $36,370 | $17.49 |
| Bridge and Lock Tenders | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-6051. 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 transportation inspector make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for transportation inspectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $55,070 a year, or $26.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation inspectors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of transportation inspectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $137,050 a year. The top 25% earn $105,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation inspectors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,500 a year, and a quarter of transportation inspectors earn $39,920 or less.
How many transportation inspectors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 570 transportation inspectors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.