Fire Inspectors and Investigators vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Who Earns More?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss out-earn Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss by $290 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss land at $75,920 and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss at $76,210. The education gap is real: fire inspectors and investigator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while police and sheriff's patrol officer programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss is Washington ($122,900); for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss it's California ($118,880).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Fire Inspectors and Investigators median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss earn more nationally. The median is $75,920 for Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss versus $76,210 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss, a difference of $290. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Fire Inspectors and Investigators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Fire Inspectors and Investigators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss at $122,900/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Fire Inspectors and Investigators vs. Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss earn $122,900 vs. $102,080 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.