Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in West Virginia make a median of $52,490 a year, or about $25.24 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $58,958 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 29.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across West Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $52K get you in West Virginia?
About fire inspectors and investigators
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for fire inspectors and investigators in West Virginia runs about 31% below the U.S. median of $76K. Rent runs $1,008/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level fire inspectors and investigators (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $66K or more, a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary by metro in West Virginia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $49K | -6% | 30 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a fire inspectors and investigator afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $52K, rent takes 28.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for fire inspectors and investigators in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new fire inspectors and investigators typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,539/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 West Virginia?
Local pay runs 31% below the national median — $52K here vs. $76K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for fire inspectors and investigators?
West Virginia pays $52K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s -31%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $59K — below the national median.
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in West Virginia?
The median is $52,490 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,310, and experienced fire inspectors and investigators can clear $66,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,532/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 28.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a fire inspectors and investigators salary go in West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 $58,958 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.