Across U.S. metros, building inspectors typically earn $20,530 more a year than construction laborers (44%). In the 337 metros where BLS publishes both, building inspectors earn more in 332 and construction laborers in 5.
| Building Inspector | Construction Laborer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $67,380 | $46,850 |
| Lowest metro median | $25,530 | $23,510 |
| Highest metro median | $129,750 | $83,680 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +0.0% | +7.3% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 14,800 | 120,000 |
| Self-employed | 3% | 27% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 58 | 218 |
| Metros with pay data | 338 | 391 |
On safety, construction laborers report more injuries that cause missed work (218 vs. 58 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where building inspectors out-earn construction laborers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where construction laborers out-earn building inspectors the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, building inspectors earn more in 51 states and construction laborers in 0. The gap favors building inspectors most in Alaska ($44,350) and building inspectors most in Hawaii ($2,210).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Indoors with heating and air conditioning: often for building inspectors, occasionally for construction laborers. Sitting: sometimes for building inspectors, rarely for construction laborers.
| Building Inspector | Construction Laborer | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Very often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Often | Occasionally |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Sometimes | Very often |
| Working at heights | Sometimes | Occasionally |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Sitting | Sometimes | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Building Inspector
Inspect structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations. Inspections may be general in nature or may be limited to a specific area, such as electrical systems or plumbing.
Construction Laborer
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
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