California Median
$99,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+31% vs US median
US median $75,920
State Rank
#3 of 43
1,350 employed here
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make in California?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in California take home a median of $99,230 annually — roughly $47.71 an hour — which runs 31% above the national median of $75,920.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $60,080 while the top 10% make $150,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,370 and $122,730 a year.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,080 | $28.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $79,370 | $38.16 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $99,230 | $47.71 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $122,730 | $59.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,590 | $72.40 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 43 states and territories for Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in other states
Washington $122,900Oregon $115,080Maryland $98,730Nevada $93,450Colorado $85,750Minnesota $84,410Texas $82,390Iowa $81,860Massachusetts $81,140Connecticut $80,490North Dakota $80,320Alabama $78,110Rhode Island $78,100Michigan $77,460Missouri $77,240Nebraska $76,770Florida $75,660New Hampshire $75,230Arizona $74,780New York $73,920Indiana $73,340Idaho $72,810Utah $72,760Virginia $70,460North Carolina $66,820Wisconsin $66,600Louisiana $64,820New Mexico $64,680Georgia $64,550Kansas $64,290Tennessee $63,400Illinois $62,400South Carolina $61,890New Jersey $60,100Ohio $59,280Pennsylvania $59,080Maine $58,240Arkansas $57,990Kentucky $55,970Mississippi $55,260West Virginia $52,490Oklahoma $37,320
Working as Fire Inspectors and Investigators in California
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Fire Inspectors and Investigators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($99,230) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make in California?
The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in California is $99,230 per year, or about $47.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,080 at the entry level to $150,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Fire Inspectors and Investigators about 31% more than the national median of $75,920. California ranks 3rd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Fire Inspectors and Investigators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,230 a year. About 1,350 Fire Inspectors and Investigators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.