Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC make a median of $60,360 a year, or about $29.02 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $59,786 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 45.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $60K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About fire inspectors and investigators
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level fire inspectors and investigators (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $36K 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 |
| New York | $75K | -4% | 1,200 |
| Arizona | $75K | -4% | 210 |
| Rhode Island | $74K | -5% | N/A |
| Utah | $73K | -7% | 60 |
| Illinois | $72K | -7% | 210 |
| Louisiana | $71K | -9% | 70 |
| Vermont | $71K | -9% | 40 |
| Nebraska | $70K | -10% | 60 |
| Idaho | $70K | -10% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $70K | -10% | 180 |
| Virginia | $69K | -11% | 110 |
| New Jersey | $69K | -11% | 900 |
| North Carolina | $69K | -12% | 750 |
| Pennsylvania | $67K | -14% | 310 |
| Indiana | $66K | -15% | 200 |
| Tennessee | $66K | -16% | 540 |
| New Mexico | $65K | -16% | 80 |
| Ohio | $65K | -17% | 510 |
| Georgia | $64K | -17% | 270 |
| South Carolina | $62K | -21% | 160 |
| Kansas | $60K | -23% | 90 |
| Arkansas | $58K | -26% | 40 |
| Delaware | $58K | -26% | 70 |
| Mississippi | $55K | -30% | 120 |
| West Virginia | $53K | -32% | 60 |
| Alabama | $51K | -35% | N/A |
| Kentucky | $51K | -35% | 100 |
| Maine | $46K | -41% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $37K | -52% | 170 |
Showing 1–10 of 44 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track fire inspectors and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $60,360 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,280, and experienced fire inspectors and investigators can clear $79,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,025/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 44.4% 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 Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fire inspectors and investigators salary is worth about $59,786 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.