Skilled Trades
Transportation Inspectors
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.
Median salary (BLS)
$92,100
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$40k – $139k
Job outlook
+2% (about average)
AI exposure
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Transportation Inspectors
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Plan my path to this →Typical progression
Junior Transportation Inspectors
Entry / Junior
$40,330
~2 yrs to advance
Transportation Inspectors
Established
$92,100
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Transportation Inspectors
Senior
$115,385
Key skills
A typical day
- •Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
- •Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
- •Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.
- •Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
- •Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.