Transportation Inspector salary in Illinois
Transportation Inspectors in Illinois earn a median of $47,990 a year ($23.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,600 for the top 10%. That is 48% lower than the national median of $92,100. Illinois ranks 43rd of 44 states for transportation inspectors pay. There are 0.18 transportation inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for transportation inspectors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Median | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| 75th percentile | $93,950 | $45.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,600 | $62.31 |
| Average (mean) | $69,780 | $33.55 |
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 | $3,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,999.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,845.77 |
| Weekly | $922.88 |
| Hourly | $23.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Transportation Inspector salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $77,990 | 140 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,190 | 80 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,070 | 570 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Passenger Attendant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Bridge and Lock Tenders | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Traffic Technician | $70,970 | $34.12 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for transportation inspectors in Illinois is $47,990 a year, or $23.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation inspectors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of transportation inspectors in Illinois earn at least $129,600 a year. The top 25% earn $93,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation inspectors in Illinois?
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 Illinois?
About 1,130 transportation inspectors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.