Across U.S. metros, building inspectors typically earn $19,050 more a year than maintenance technicians (39%). In the 338 metros where BLS publishes both, building inspectors earn more in 336 and maintenance technicians in 2.
| Building Inspector | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $67,380 | $48,330 |
| Lowest metro median | $25,530 | $22,040 |
| Highest metro median | $129,750 | $63,980 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +0.0% | +4.2% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 14,800 | 148,700 |
| Self-employed | 3% | 1% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 58 | 212 |
| Metros with pay data | 338 | 393 |
On safety, maintenance technicians report more injuries that cause missed work (212 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 maintenance technicians the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where maintenance technicians 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 maintenance technicians in 0. The gap favors building inspectors most in California ($44,290) and building inspectors most in Mississippi ($5,900).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Hazardous conditions: occasionally for building inspectors, sometimes for maintenance technicians. Standing, bending, kneeling and walking: occasionally for building inspectors, often for maintenance technicians.
| Building Inspector | Maintenance Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Often |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Often | Often |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Sometimes | Often |
| Working at heights | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Occasionally |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Often | Often |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Occasionally | Often |
| Sitting | Sometimes | Occasionally |
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.
Maintenance Technician
Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.
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