Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in California
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in California make a median of $96,180 a year, or about $46.24 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $147K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $96K get you in California?
About fire inspectors and investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level fire inspectors and investigators (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K.Top earners bring in $147K or more - a $90K spread from bottom to top.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $117K | +50% | 330 |
| Oregon | $115K | +48% | 180 |
| California | $96K | +23% | 1,260 |
| Nevada | $96K | +23% | 190 |
| Maryland | $91K | +16% | 270 |
| Michigan | $87K | +11% | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $85K | +8% | 110 |
| Texas | $83K | +7% | 980 |
| Missouri | $83K | +6% | 130 |
| Minnesota | $81K | +4% | 160 |
| Wyoming | $77K | -1% | 30 |
| New Hampshire | $77K | -1% | 70 |
| Connecticut | $77K | -2% | 430 |
| North Dakota | $76K | -3% | 30 |
| Iowa | $75K | -3% | 40 |
Track fire inspectors and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in California?
The median is $96,180 a year - that works out to about $46.24 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,550, and experienced fire inspectors and investigators can clear $147,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,914/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 37.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a fire inspectors and investigators salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fire inspectors and investigators salary is worth about $96,180 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do fire inspectors and investigators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.