Transportation Inspector salary in Tennessee
Transportation Inspectors in Tennessee earn a median of $78,430 a year ($37.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,220 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $92,100. Tennessee ranks 26th of 44 states for transportation inspectors pay. There are 0.13 transportation inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,420, close to the median.
Pay range for transportation inspectors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,410 | $19.43 |
| 25th percentile | $40,410 | $19.43 |
| Median | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| 75th percentile | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,220 | $65.01 |
| Average (mean) | $78,420 | $37.70 |
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 | $6,535.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,267.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,016.54 |
| Weekly | $1,508.27 |
| Hourly | $37.71 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $115,920 | 70 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $85,360 | 130 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $31,970 | $15.37 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Traffic Technician | $44,970 | $21.62 |
| Passenger Attendant | $27,380 | $13.17 |
| Bridge and Lock Tenders | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.40 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for transportation inspectors in Tennessee is $78,430 a year, or $37.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation inspectors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of transportation inspectors in Tennessee earn at least $135,220 a year. The top 25% earn $97,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation inspectors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,410 a year, and a quarter of transportation inspectors earn $40,410 or less.
How many transportation inspectors work in Tennessee?
About 420 transportation inspectors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.