Home Inspector Salary

How much does a home inspector make?

In short, the average home inspector salary is somewhere between $30,000 and $90,000 per year. However, there are a lot of factors that play a role in home inspection earnings, so the best answer is “it depends.”

A study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that the 2020 median pay for professional home inspectors throughout the country was just over $62,000 per year. Of these, the highest 10% of inspectors earned more than $97,000 per year, while those in the lowest 10% brought in less than $35,000 per year.

Generally speaking, the amount you earn is directly tied to how many inspections you can fit into your schedule. Use the salary calculator below to explore your potential earnings!

Factors That Affect a Home Inspector’s Salary

A lot of factors go into determining a home inspector’s income, including:

• Your location
• How much you charge for a home inspection
• How many add on services such as radon testing are offered
• Your home inspection experience
• The home inspection career path you take
• Whether you opt to work full-time or part-time

The best way to determine your income is to estimate how many inspections you believe you will complete in a week and multiply that by the average home inspection cost in your area.

Home Inspector Salary Increases with Add-Ons

The charge for inspecting a 2,000 square foot single family residence is typically between $400 and $450. The cost to inspect smaller, two bedroom homes and condos is usually less, averaging between $300 and $350 each. A home inspector’s salary can be increased by providing clients with additional services such as:

• Conduct mold inspections for the presence of mold types that can be hazardous to the home’s occupants
• Check for lead-based paint and lead plumbing pipes in houses built before 1978
• Inspect for the presence of asbestos in roof and siding shingles, insulation, textured ceilings and vinyl floor tiles in houses constructed before 1977
• Check the radon levels in and around the house
• pool and spa inspections
• Use thermal imaging to identify areas of moisture intrusion, energy loss, and hot spots

Home inspectors typically charge between $100 and $200 for each of these and similar additional services. ICA includes bonus courses for these home inspection services for free as part of your home inspection training package, so you can complete as many as you would like based on your interests.

FEMA Disaster Inspectors

As a home inspector, you can supplement your home inspector salary by becoming a FEMA disaster inspector. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, responds to all types of natural disasters throughout the United States and its territories whenever the President declares a location to be a major disaster area.

The government contracts with two outside companies to provide FEMA inspectors for responding to national disasters, WSP USA Inspection Services (formerly known as P B Disaster Services) and Vanguard EM. Both have a different method of paying their inspectors.

Vanguard pays its inspectors for each inspection based on his or her actual field experience. Entry level inspectors who have performed fewer than 500 FEMA inspections are paid $35 for each property. Intermediate level inspectors are those who have conducted between 501 and 2,500 house inspections and are paid $39 for each house. Vanguard pays its advanced level FEMA inspectors who have made more than 2,500 inspections $45 per inspection.

Your home inspector training should also include how to write pre-inspection agreements, issue inspection reports, use drones to inspect rooftops, and starting and marketing a home inspection business.

Is a Home Inspector a Good Paying Career Choice?

Becoming a home inspector has many benefits including the potential for a good and steadily increasing income. Home inspectors who provide good customer service, quality reports, and add-on services can expect their business, and earnings, to grow each year.

Men and women of all ages and backgrounds have chosen careers as certified home inspectors and it pays well when you put in the time and effort. Becoming a certified home inspector can be an excellent choice for a challenging and rewarding career.

Inspection Certification Associates home inspector training is a fast, easy and affordable way to become a certified home inspector. Completing ICA’s online training will qualify you to work as a home inspector in just about every state across the country (see state licensing for the requirements in your area). Enroll today and you’ll soon be on your way to an exciting and rewarding Certified Home Inspector career!

Have questions or need more information? Contact ICA or give us a call at 888-374-4096 – we’re here to help!

Factors that affect a home inspector’s average salary

• What are the average number of Inspections scheduled per week?

A good goal for a full time home inspector in their first year is 4-5 inspections per week.

• Is the home inspector self employed or holding a home inspector job working for another company?

Home inspector jobs are always going to be in demand.  According to zip recruiter, an entry level home inspector salary averages just under $50,000 per year.  You can make the best salary by as a self employed certified home inspector.

• How many Inspectors work for you?

Working by yourself is a great perk for a home inspector, especially not having to answer to a boss or manage employees.  As your business grows, you might consider taking on a few inspectors to increase your own salary.

• Where are you scheduling inspections?

Inspection fees go up in major metropolitan areas where the demand is higher.  In a more rural setting it can be difficult for buyers to find a house inspector and you can charge extra for mileage travelling to an inspection.

• How many home inspection services are offered?

By offering additional services, you can maximize your visit to a home and increase your overall salary as a home inspector. 

• Part Time or Full Time Home Inspector career?

If you still like your full time job, you can start a part time home inspection business on the side to boost your annual salary.  By doing just two inspections per week, a home inspector can earn a $35,000-$40,000 part time salary.  If you are scheduling more than 2 per week it might be the right time to quit your full time job and run your inspection business full time.  There is no limit to a home inspector salary.

More frequently asked questions about home inspector salaries

Do you need a degree to be a home inspector?

Home Inspectors do not have to earn a degree.  In certain states a home inspector license is required.  For example:  In the state of Florida a home inspector must pass a 120 hour state approved course and a state test.  In California on the other hand, a home inspector license is not required, but home inspectors should train and become certified by a school that is recognized before starting a home inspector career.

How much does a home inspector make?

The average home inspection ranges from $300-$500 per inspection and most home inspectors make $400 per inspection on average.  Home inspector income and home inspector salary will rise in a hot real estate market.  ICA instructors will teach you the best methods for setting your prices and teach you how to build and grow a successful home inspection business from the ground up.  Home inspectors who have been in business for over a year or more raise the average home inspector salary.

How much does a home inspector make on a Commercial Property?

A commercial real estate inspection will typically cost more than a standard home inspection.  Most inspectors set a $600-$700 minimum cost for a commercial inspection.  The square footage is typically much higher so it can take inspectors more time.  For small scale properties that are easily inspected in a single day, many inspectors will handle these inspections alone and price accordingly.  For larger scale buildings or commercial real estate with multiple units to inspect, a home inspector will subcontract out the various aspects of the inspection to industry experts so they can complete the report efficiently and quickly.  $0.06 per square foot is typical for calculating a warehouse space while an office space will be priced around $0.10 per square foot according to the Certified Commercial Property Inspectors Association.  The good news is that you can set your own pricing when you run your own home inspection business.  By expanding into the commercial inspection market, you can increase your annual property inspector salary.

Who pays a home inspector?

Home inspector pay will be taken care of upfront by the client who requests the report.  Typically, a real estate agent or mortgage lender will recommend or provide the home buyer with a list of inspectors to choose from.  The buyer will be the one who hire’s a home inspector and is responsible for paying them before the inspection starts.  This way, a home inspector is always paid for time spent on site, regardless of whether the home is purchased or not.

What does a home inspector charge?

The fees charged by home inspectors can vary based on several factors, including the location, size, and complexity of the property, as well as the level of services provided. Generally, home inspectors charge a flat fee for their services, which is typically based on the square footage of the home.

On average, the cost of a home inspection can range from $300 to $500 in the United States. However, this range can vary significantly depending on various factors, such as the local market, the type of property (e.g., single-family home, condominium, multi-unit building), and any additional services requested by the client.

It’s important to note that while price is a consideration, clients should prioritize the qualifications, experience, and reputation of a home inspector when selecting one, as the quality of the inspection is crucial in identifying potential issues or defects in a property.

It is recommended to contact local ICA Certified home inspectors in your area to get accurate pricing information as market rates can differ based on the location and other factors.

Home Inspectors who offer Additional Services earn a larger salary.

Home inspection business income can come from more than just writing a standard function and safety report.  The business may look to hire employees who specialize in other inspection related fields or take the time to train up on the services their clients have requested frequently.

How does a home inspector earn more money?

A home inspector can potentially earn more money through several strategies:

Gaining inspection experience and expertise: As a home inspector gains more experience and expertise in their field, they can become more efficient and thorough in conducting home inspections. This can lead to increased demand for their services and potentially higher fees. By building a reputation for providing quality and reliable inspections, home inspectors can also attract more clients and referral business.

Expanding services to make more: Some home inspectors offer additional services beyond standard home inspections, such as specialized inspections for swimming pools, radon, mold, or pest infestations. Home inspectors can add commercial inspection services for clients looking to purchase bars, stores, restaurants, small apartment buildings, or retail units. In most areas, the minimum fee for a commercial walkthrough is $700. By diversifying their services, inspectors can attract a broader range of clients and increase their earning potential.  We at ICA are here to help you develop a diversified business model.

Building a strong network of clients: Developing relationships with real estate agents, brokers, and other professionals in the real estate and mortgage industry can result in referrals and a steady stream of clients. Networking can help create mutually beneficial partnerships and lead to more inspection scheduling opportunities.

Marketing and promoting your home inspection business: Effectively marketing one’s services can help increase visibility and attract more clients. With our marketing training, you can reach your target audience without a large investment.  Creating a professional website, utilizing online directories, and engaging in targeted marketing campaigns can help generate leads and grow a home inspector’s business.

Continuing education and certifications: Staying updated with the latest industry standards, regulations, and technology through ongoing education and certifications can enhance a home inspector’s credibility and marketability. In some cases, this is mandatory to keep up your license. Specialized certifications, such as those for septic inspection, well water testing, or commercial property inspections, can open up new opportunities and potentially command higher fees.

Expanding service area: Depending on the location, a home inspector may choose to expand their business to reach a larger customer base. This can involve covering multiple cities or even branching out into neighboring regions, where demand for home inspections may be higher.  A multi-inspector business can grow exponentially over time.

Take our advice:  It’s important to note that success and increased earnings as a home inspector often come from following the recipe for success.  New home inspectors do not have to reinvent the industry.  Be on time, be professional, ethical, and deliver a good report to develop the client base you need. Listen to your instructor’s guidance when training for long-term success in this profession.

Learn how to start a home inspection career by looking up the requirements for your state/province here:  https://icaschool.com/state-licensing/