SOC 47-4011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Construction and Building Inspectors — Iowa City
Iowa City, IA · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Iowa City, IA is $78,030 per year, close to the national median of $74,690 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Iowa City, IA is $78,030 per year, close to the national median of $74,690 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $64,110 and $78,770. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $51,010 and the ninetieth at $89,020.
Employment stands at 60, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $79,740. Of the 296 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 77th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,010 | −31.7% |
| 25th | $64,110 | −14.2% |
| Median (50th) | $78,030 | +4.5% |
| 75th | $78,770 | +5.5% |
| 90th | $89,020 | +19.2% |
| Mean | $72,530 | −2.9% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $79,740 | 40 | |
| 2 | Des Moines | $73,910 | 390 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $73,440 | 110 | |
| 4 | Waterloo | $71,330 | 50 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $68,770 | 30 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $68,210 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa City run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $78,030 goes as far as $88,872 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$88,872US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,030 a year, 4.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,010 to $89,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $79,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Construction and Building Inspectors in Iowa City, IA?
The median annual wage is $78,030, or $37.51 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $74,690, so pay in Iowa City, IA is 4.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Iowa City, IA earns more than $89,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,010 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ames, at $79,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Iowa City, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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