Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA make a median of $130,940 a year, or about $62.95 an hour. The range runs from $101K at the entry level to $166K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $113,260 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 46.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $131K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About fire inspectors and investigators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level fire inspectors and investigators (10th percentile) start around $101K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K.Top earners bring in $166K or more - a $65K 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $130,940 a year - that works out to about $62.95 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $100,790, and experienced fire inspectors and investigators can clear $166,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,661/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $113,260 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.