How to Become A Home Inspector in Maryland

Maryland employs approximately 2,780 home inspectors according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $76,640 1. Nationally, home inspector employment is projected to grow -0.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a home inspector in Maryland, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Home Inspector in Maryland

How do I become a home inspector in Maryland? Maryland requires credentials such as HOME INSPECTOR. The licensing authority is the Maryland Department of Labor - Board of Real Estate Appraisers 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Maryland? Yes. Maryland has licensing or registration requirements for home inspectors. The Maryland Department of Labor - Board of Real Estate Appraisers oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.

What do home inspectors earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for home inspectors in Maryland is $76,640 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $53,610 and experienced professionals can earn $110,250 or more 1.

At a Glance

Home Inspector License Requirements in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Labor - Board of Real Estate Appraisers oversees home inspector licensing in Maryland 3.

License Types

LicenseRequirements
HOME INSPECTOR

License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.

Home Inspector Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

Construction and Building Inspectors Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), construction and building inspectors wages in Maryland vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria4,060$80,150$85,180$58,460$116,510
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington2,900$75,710$76,580$50,440$106,130
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson1,400$73,840$77,240$56,250$109,960
Lexington Park80$75,390$71,300$45,780$99,650
Hagerstown-Martinsburg60$74,070$77,910$54,990$109,580
Salisbury30$67,010$67,740$39,910$102,900

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Home inspectors in Maryland

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home inspector employment within Maryland according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson1,400$73,840
Lexington Park80$75,390
Hagerstown-Martinsburg60$74,070
Salisbury30$67,010

Explore home inspector programs in Baltimore, Hagerstown, and Salisbury.

Explore More Trades in Maryland

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for home inspectors in Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 2,780 home inspectors 1. Nationally, home inspector employment is projected to grow -0.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.

Can I work as a home inspector in Maryland with an out-of-state license? Contact the Maryland Department of Labor - Board of Real Estate Appraisers for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maryland.

How much do home inspectors earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home inspectors in Maryland is $76,640, which is $4,520 above the national median of $72,120 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He is the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad helps homeowners and tradespeople make informed decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Maryland Department of Labor - Board of Real Estate Appraisers - Licensing Information: http://www.psiexams.com ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)