Construction and Building Inspectors salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Construction and Building Inspectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $73,910 a year ($35.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,090 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $74,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $71,630. There are 0.97 construction and building inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,010, close to the median.
Pay range for construction and building inspectors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| 25th percentile | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Median | $73,910 | $35.53 |
| 75th percentile | $89,080 | $42.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,090 | $43.79 |
| Average (mean) | $72,010 | $34.62 |
Half of construction and building 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 | $6,159.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,079.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,842.69 |
| Weekly | $1,421.35 |
| Hourly | $35.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,910 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Construction and Building Inspectors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $79,740 | 40 |
| Iowa City, IA | $78,030 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $73,440 | 110 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $71,330 | 50 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $68,770 | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $68,210 | 150 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $65,830 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for construction and building inspectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $102,410 |
| California | $101,290 |
| Connecticut | $98,670 |
| Washington | $96,140 |
| Minnesota | $88,670 |
| District of Columbia | $86,200 |
| Oregon | $84,510 |
| Massachusetts | $83,200 |
| New Jersey | $81,760 |
| Colorado | $79,950 |
See Construction and Building Inspectors pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $52,410 | $25.20 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Electrician | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $75,040 | $36.08 |
| Carpenter | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Roofer | $49,510 | $23.80 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4011. 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 construction and building inspectors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for construction and building inspectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $73,910 a year, or $35.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction and building inspectors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of construction and building inspectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $91,090 a year. The top 25% earn $89,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction and building inspectors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,980 a year, and a quarter of construction and building inspectors earn $59,590 or less.
How many construction and building inspectors work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 390 construction and building inspectors are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.