Transportation Inspector salary in Iowa
Transportation Inspectors in Iowa earn a median of $116,850 a year ($56.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,730 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $92,100. Iowa ranks 2nd of 44 states for transportation inspectors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 transportation inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $113,620, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation inspectors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| 25th percentile | $89,340 | $42.95 |
| Median | $116,850 | $56.18 |
| 75th percentile | $150,630 | $72.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,730 | $76.79 |
| Average (mean) | $113,620 | $54.63 |
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 | $9,737.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,868.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,494.23 |
| Weekly | $2,247.12 |
| Hourly | $56.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,810 | $14.81 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| Bridge and Lock Tenders | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Traffic Technician | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for transportation inspectors in Iowa is $116,850 a year, or $56.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation inspectors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of transportation inspectors in Iowa earn at least $159,730 a year. The top 25% earn $150,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation inspectors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,250 a year, and a quarter of transportation inspectors earn $89,340 or less.
How many transportation inspectors work in Iowa?
About 60 transportation inspectors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.