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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an API Inspector in California is $68,888 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, an API Inspector's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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API Inspector Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $77,648 | $6,471 | $1,493 | $37 |
| Average | $68,888 | $5,741 | $1,325 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,281 | $5,107 | $1,178 | $29 |
TEAM Industrial Services - Benicia, CA
HMT LLC - Benicia, CA
FedEx Freight - EFFINGHAM, IL
Boeing - WICHITA, KS
An API Inspector's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an API Inspector's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level API Inspector | $67,673 |
| Intermediate Level API Inspector | $68,502 |
| Senior Level API Inspector | $70,434 |
| Specialist Level API Inspector | $70,821 |
| Expert Level API Inspector | $71,078 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract API Inspectors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For API Inspector roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, API Inspector positions in Retail & Wholesale or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view API Inspector as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $86,110 | $41.0 | 25% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $75,777 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $72,333 | $35.0 | 5% |
Understanding how an API Inspector's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $77,648 | $6,471 | $1,493 | $37 |
| Average | $68,888 | $5,741 | $1,325 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,281 | $5,107 | $1,178 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current API Inspector job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
US Tsubaki Automotive, LLC
SOUTH HADLEY FALLS, MA
US Tsubaki Automotive, LLC | SOUTH HADLEY FALLS, MA
Description: The TSUBAKI name is synonymous with excellence in quality, dependability and customer service. U.S. Tsubaki Automotive, LLC is an internationa... more
15 Days Ago
Boeing
WICHITA, KS
Boeing | WICHITA, KS
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, r... more
9 Days Ago
FMI Aerostructures
VALENCIA, CA
FMI Aerostructures | VALENCIA, CA
Description: Who is FMI. FMI Aerostructures is one of the largest independent manufacturing businesses serving the aerospace & defense industry. Our team h... more
5 Days Ago
SJS Executives LLC
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
SJS Executives LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Do not call SJS Industrial, a veteran owned media blasting, industrial painting, powder coating, and light fabrication shop in Virginia Beach, VA, that ser... more
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Perplexity®️
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Perplexity®️ | SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Perplexity API Platform Perplexity innovates at the frontier of AI infrastructure, search, and orchestration to serve the world's most discerning users. Th... more
6 Days Ago
Jose Merciline
AUSTIN, TX
Jose Merciline | AUSTIN, TX
Looking for candidates who have experience specifically with Layer 7 and/or NGINX. Key Responsibilities: • Contributes to the design and architecture of hi... more
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