Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Maine make a median of $58,240 a year, or about $28 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.7), that's roughly $59,611 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,281/month, about 33.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maine. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $58K get you in Maine?
About fire inspectors and investigators
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What this looks like in Maine
Pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Maine runs about 23% below the U.S. median of $76K. Rent runs $1,281/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97.7) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maine
Entry-level fire inspectors and investigators (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary by metro in Maine
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $45K | -22% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track fire inspectors and investigators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maine numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a fire inspectors and investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maine?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 33.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,281/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for fire inspectors and investigators in Maine?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new fire inspectors and investigators typically earn — is $36K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,163/month. At HUD’s $1,281/month FMR, rent would take 59% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is fire inspectors and investigator a high-paying job in Maine?
Local pay runs 23% below the national median — $58K here vs. $76K nationally.
How does Maine compare to the national average for fire inspectors and investigators?
Maine pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s -23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97.7), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in Maine?
The median is $58,240 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,050, and experienced fire inspectors and investigators can clear $104,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Maine?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,844/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,281/month, which eats 33.3% 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 Maine?
Maine has a Regional Price Parity of 97.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fire inspectors and investigators salary is worth about $59,611 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.