How to Become A Home Inspector in Washington
Washington employs approximately 3,090 home inspectors according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $96,140 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 Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Home Inspector in Washington
How to become a home inspector in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Home Inspector. The licensing authority is the Department of Licensing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license requires approximately 40 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for home inspectors. The Department of Licensing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do home inspectors earn in Washington? The median annual wage for home inspectors in Washington is $96,140 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $63,840 and experienced professionals can earn $121,700 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Licensing
- Median wage (Washington): $96,140 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Home Inspector License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Licensing oversees home inspector licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Home Inspector | Individuals must take an approved 120-hour Fundamentals of Home Inspection course and mentor with an experienced home inspector for 40 hours of field training, submit home inspector examination applic… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Home Inspector Wages by Metro Area in Washington
Construction and Building Inspectors Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction and building inspectors wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 4,060 | $80,150 | $85,180 | $58,460 | $116,510 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 1,640 | $102,830 | $96,490 | $65,320 | $120,970 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 1,200 | $93,340 | $91,510 | $64,600 | $123,780 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 230 | $86,140 | $88,690 | $66,390 | $114,740 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 130 | $87,040 | $90,200 | $58,710 | $121,700 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 120 | $98,220 | $96,770 | $58,990 | $130,970 |
| Bellingham | 110 | $93,340 | $95,420 | $73,530 | $116,170 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 110 | $95,640 | $96,190 | $77,960 | $116,670 |
| Yakima | 80 | $78,000 | $84,670 | $58,240 | $124,630 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 60 | $97,610 | $93,150 | $70,910 | $124,630 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 50 | $96,400 | $98,640 | $78,850 | $127,780 |
| Walla Walla | 40 | $96,100 | $89,720 | $55,600 | $115,210 |
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 .
Top Metros for Home inspectors in Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest home inspector employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 1,640 | $102,830 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 230 | $86,140 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 130 | $87,040 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 120 | $98,220 |
| Bellingham | 110 | $93,340 |
Explore home inspector programs in Seattle, Spokane, and Kennewick.
Explore More Trades in Washington
- Electrician in Washington
- Plumber in Washington
- HVAC Technician in Washington
- Welder in Washington
- Carpenter in Washington
- Solar Installation Technician in Washington
- Auto Mechanic in Washington
- CNC Machinist in Washington
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Washington
- Medical Assistant in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for home inspectors in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 3,090 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 Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Licensing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do home inspectors earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for home inspectors in Washington is $96,140, which is $24,020 above the national median of $72,120 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Licensing - Licensing Information: https://dol.wa.gov/about/contact-us/business-and-professional-licensing-contact-information ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |