Transportation Inspector (DOT / FMCSA / FRA)

Overview

Sourced

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.

O*NET definition of Transportation Inspectors (SOC 53-6051) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.

11,230

in government (SOC 53-6051)

46%

of this occupation works for government

$93,420

median pay in government

Federal · State

levels of government

Titles employers use

Cargo SurveyorMarine Cargo SurveyorMarine SurveyorPetroleum InspectorInspector

How people usually get in Editorial

experience + training. Requirements vary by employer; each employer page will list its exact rules.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Requirements

Sourced

Typical entry requirements (BLS, SOC 53-6051)

Education needed to enter: High school diploma or equivalent
Related work experience: None
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Academy and training

Sourced

Training to become competent (BLS)

SOC 53-6051: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Preparation level (O*NET)

Job zone: Considerable Preparation Needed

Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Promotion ladder

Editorial

Federal grade and step: federal grade × step (GS/FWS/agency bands: FAA ATC, TSA SV, VA nurse, LEO special rates). Typical structure for a federal general schedule; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.

GS/GL-5/7/9 entry (Pathways / recent grad; some law-enforcement jobs start higher, e.g. FBI special agents at GL-10)
Career-ladder promotions to full-performance level (GS-9/11/12/13)
GS-14/15 (competitive)
Senior Executive Service
within-grade steps 1–10 (steps 2–4 yearly, 5–7 every 2 yrs, 8–10 every 3 yrs)
special rates: law-enforcement special base rates (GS-3–10); LEAP 25% premium for criminal investigators only

Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).

Pay

Sourced

Federal

$131,730

State

$68,100

Local

$93,420

All government

$93,420

Private sector

$77,450

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Employer type	Workers	10th pct.	25th	Median	75th	90th
Federal	4,490	$94,970	$112,260	$131,730	$151,960	$167,860
State	3,030	$43,960	$54,330	$68,100	$83,440	$104,080
Local	3,710	$62,490	$93,420	$93,420	$93,420	$97,840
All government	11,230	$57,180	$77,650	$93,420	$122,930	$151,960
Private sector	13,270	$36,840	$45,230	$77,450	$105,680	$126,710

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Transportation Inspector (DOT / FMCSA / FRA) in 7 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

State	Job classes in the state plan	Annual range
Florida	Weight Inspector I–II 2 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), State Human Resource Management	$34,760 – $58,096
Georgia	Weight Inspector 1–3, Weight Inspector 1 Non Exempt, Weight Inspector 2 Non Exempt, Weight Inspector 3 Non Exempt 6 classes · effective July 10, 2024 · Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), Human Resources Administration — Compensation	$28,571 – $52,364
Maine	Motor Carrier Inspector 1 class · effective August 30, 2026 · Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Human Resources	$44,949 – $62,774
New Mexico	Transportation Inspector, Senior Transportation Inspector 2 classes · effective July 4, 2026 · New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification	$47,050 – $77,633
South Dakota	Motor Carrier Inspector 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration (BHRA); Unified Judicial System for judicial classes	$44,533 – $66,768
Washington	Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer 1–4 4 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Human Resources	$66,900 – $133,464
West Virginia	Transportation Inspector Trainee, Transportation Inspector 2, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer 1–3, Transportation Inspector Senior 7 classes · West Virginia Department of Administration, Division of Personnel	$34,100 – $85,676

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 7 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

Day-to-day work

Sourced

Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.4.5
Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.4.5
Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.4.4
Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.4.1
Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.4.1
Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.4.1
Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.4.0
Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.4.0
Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.4.0
Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.3.9

The 10 most important of 12 core tasks for Transportation Inspectors, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of November 2020.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.

13Derived

By state

Sourced

Median annual wage for Transportation Inspectors (SOC 53-6051) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.

State	Workers	10th pct.	Median	90th pct.
Alaska	170	$81,540	$123,120	$164,260
Iowa	60	$54,250	$116,850	$159,730
Oklahoma	470	$107,370	$111,070	$139,840
Hawaii	150	$51,960	$108,270	$151,670
Alabama	670	$69,150	$108,140	$112,530
North Dakota	60	$68,500	$106,330	$136,990
Washington	490	$70,270	$104,250	$167,420
Kansas	210	$39,850	$103,380	$132,830
Florida	1,630	$54,300	$101,470	$141,460
Texas	2,290	$43,020	$101,440	$149,430
Maryland	250	$55,930	$100,700	$150,030
Georgia	880	$40,460	$95,030	$141,150
New York	3,720	$66,620	$93,420	$97,840
Minnesota	310	$35,050	$92,860	$151,850
Connecticut	330	$66,910	$91,520	$126,820
District of Columbia	150	$56,820	$89,960	$185,220
Arkansas	120	$35,460	$85,130	$119,180
North Carolina	380	$35,220	$84,470	$136,970
Kentucky	260	$42,130	$83,970	$136,990
California	1,790	$40,790	$83,000	$144,460
Colorado	460	$37,470	$81,820	$148,820
Pennsylvania	340	$55,030	$81,550	$161,470
South Carolina	440	$67,920	$80,490	$100,420
Indiana	250	$36,430	$80,330	$134,720
Massachusetts	Not published	$39,010	$79,650	$113,760
Tennessee	420	$40,410	$78,430	$135,220
Oregon	250	$48,840	$78,110	$140,030
Louisiana	130	$29,160	$77,460	$136,990
Ohio	430	$37,700	$77,010	$143,040
Wisconsin	120	$69,050	$75,260	$134,670
South Dakota	100	$47,340	$70,080	$141,130
Virginia	330	$47,540	$68,610	$142,480
Missouri	380	$44,370	$64,690	$136,970
Utah	210	$41,970	$64,480	$140,470
Maine	90	$42,420	$63,750	$159,830
New Mexico	230	$33,360	$63,690	$113,460
Montana	180	$37,860	$62,810	$124,850
Arizona	830	$34,800	$62,250	$132,270
West Virginia	90	$44,490	$58,670	$128,670
Idaho	170	$39,800	$54,330	$156,640
Nevada	430	$44,670	$50,060	$119,100
New Jersey	930	$37,010	$49,250	$105,680
Illinois	1,130	$36,500	$47,990	$129,600
Michigan	540	$33,440	$35,890	$139,390

44 states with published estimates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Not yet collected

These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.

03 Hiring process
The steps in order and how long they take: application, written and physical tests, oral board, background check, polygraph, psychological and medical exams, eligibility list
Not yet collected
05 Probation
Probation length and what ends it
Not yet collected
08 Schedule
Shift patterns (24/48, 4/10, 5/8, split), seniority bidding, holidays and mandatory overtime
Not yet collected
09 Benefits and pension
Pension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
Not yet collected
10 Union contracts
Bargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
Not yet collected
11 Transfers and lateral entry
Lateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
Not yet collected
14 Exam practice
Named entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist
Not yet collected
15 Employer directory
Every public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules
Not yet collected

Transportation Inspector (DOT / FMCSA / FRA)

Overview

Titles employers use

Requirements

Academy and training

Promotion ladder

Pay

State government pay plans

Day-to-day work

Related jobs

By state

Not yet collected