Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in California
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in California earn a median annual wage of $99,230 —30.7% above the national median of $75,920. That ranks CA #3 of 43 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.83× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for fire inspectors and investigators
All 43 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $122,900 | $59.09 | 380 | 1.19 |
| 2 | Oregon | $115,080 | $55.33 | — | — |
| 3 | California | $99,230 | $47.71 | 1,350 | 0.83 |
| 4 | Maryland | $98,730 | $47.46 | 270 | 1.08 |
| 5 | Nevada | $93,450 | $44.93 | 190 | 1.39 |
| 6 | Colorado | $85,750 | $41.23 | — | — |
| 7 | Minnesota | $84,410 | $40.58 | 230 | 0.88 |
| 8 | Texas | $82,390 | $39.61 | 1,030 | 0.82 |
| 9 | Iowa | $81,860 | $39.35 | 30 | 0.22 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $81,140 | $39.01 | 200 | 0.62 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,240 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $58,940 |
| Firefighters | $85,120 | $59,280 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $106,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do fire inspectors and investigators make in California?
The median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators in California is $99,230, or $47.71 per hour. That is 30.7% above the national median of $75,920.
What is the entry-level fire inspectors and investigators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $60,080 per year ($28.89/hour). The 25th percentile is $79,370.
How many people work as fire inspectors and investigators in California?
About 1,350 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for fire inspectors and investigators?
California ranks #3 of 43 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.83x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays fire inspectors and investigators the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $122,900 per year, followed by Oregon ($115,080) and California ($99,230).