Have experience in construction or real estate? Want to work on your terms and set your own hours? A career as a home inspector may be perfect for you, but you’re probably wondering: how much will I make?

Salary Basics

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, home inspectors bring in an average salary of $56,040 per year. This translates into $26.94 per hour. Pay in the field is largely contingent upon factors including experience, geographical location, and employer size.

Home inspectors who gain employment through a construction company can typically expect to attain paid vacations, health insurance, and retirement savings plan. The 11% of home inspectors who work as independent contractors pay for benefits on their own.

Salary Variations Based On State

It’s important to remember that geographical location can significantly alter a home inspector’s salary. Inspectors in the District of Columbia earn the highest annual income: $81,930. Individuals employed in California also generate a relatively substantive annual income of $71,300. House inspectors in Florida generate about $53,410 each year, while Pennsylvania workers earn about $48,100 annually.

Salary Variations Based On Industry

The salary earned by a home inspector will vary based on the industry.

The BLS reports that inspectors who work for power and electric companies bring home the highest salaries–$71,900. Those who work for natural gas distributors earn $67,420. Additionally, home inspectors who worked for the federal government earn an annual income of $65,440.

Roughly half of home inspectors are employed by municipal governments. The annual salaries of these individuals is about $55,250. Inspectors employed through construction, engineering, and architectural firms bring home annual salaries of $53,460.

Educational Requirements

To become a home inspector, individuals must first typically attain a high school degree. However, some employers require job candidates to attain an associate’s degrees before being offered a position. The associate’s degree is effective in preparing people with knowledge in relevant fields such as drafting, construction technology, and home inspection.

In some cases, employers will accept a certificate in place of a degree. Additionally, some employers will hire candidates who hold bachelor’s degrees as opposed to industry experience.

Job Outlook

The BLS reports that the number of positions for home inspectors will grow by 18% between 2010 and 2020. This rate of growth is slightly higher than the national average, which is 14%. The growth rate is attributed to increasing demand for safety in the residential property sector.

Areas undergoing significant population increases will have particularly plentiful vocational opportunities for aspiring home inspectors.

The Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about becoming a home inspector, it’s important to consider what type of salary you can expect to earn. By reviewing the short outline provided above and considering the factors that come into play where you live, you’ll get a better idea of whether it’s the career path for you.

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