Statewide pay Government data
Building inspectors in New York earn a statewide median of $79,460 a year, 18% above the typical U.S. metro, ranking #11 of 50 states and DC. About 11,160 people work in the trade statewide.
Statewide pay range
States ranked near New York
See all states on the building inspectors nationwide.
Pay by city Government data
BLS publishes building inspector pay for 13 New York metros: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Glens Falls, Ithaca, Kingston, Kiryas Joel, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Watertown.
| Metro | Median pay | Real pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| New YorkNEW YORK · NY | $90,800 | $80,666 | 10,340 |
| RochesterNEW YORK · NY | $77,340 | $79,703 | 690 |
| BuffaloNEW YORK · NY | $77,040 | $80,381 | 590 |
| SyracuseNEW YORK · NY | $75,610 | $78,973 | 350 |
| WatertownNEW YORK · NY | $74,680 | $85,164 | 80 |
| Kiryas JoelNEW YORK · NY | $72,690 | $66,431 | 350 |
| Glens FallsNEW YORK · NY | $71,210 | $75,064 | 70 |
| AlbanyNEW YORK · NY | $69,450 | $69,753 | 560 |
| BinghamtonNEW YORK · NY | $69,050 | $74,357 | 100 |
| ElmiraNEW YORK · NY | $65,790 | $69,694 | 40 |
| UticaNEW YORK · NY | $64,190 | $69,261 | 160 |
| IthacaNEW YORK · NY | $64,070 | $62,013 | 50 |
| KingstonNEW YORK · NY | $62,940 | $62,497 | 70 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Pay outside the cities Government data
BLS also reports pay for New York's rural (nonmetropolitan) regions.
BLS OEWS nonmetropolitan areas, May 2025.
The job (national)
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.
Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 0.0% from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,800 openings a year. Typical training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Nationally, building inspectors have 58 injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work per 10,000 full-time workers, 34% below the rate for all jobs (87). The most common cause is falls, slips and trips.
What the work is like Government data
How often building inspectors deal with each condition, from surveys of workers in the job.
Getting started usually takes medium preparation (vocational training or an apprenticeship, often 1–2+ years).
O*NET 31.0 Work Context and Job Zones (U.S. Department of Labor), national.
Licensing in New York Official source
New York licenses most trades at the city or county level (e.g. New York City). Check with the building or licensing office where you plan to work.
Requirements for building inspectors vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Cities in New York
All trades in New York.