Illinois Median
$62,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $75,920
State Rank
#33 of 43
440 employed here
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make in Illinois?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Illinois take home a median of $62,400 annually — roughly $30.00 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $75,920.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $35,070 while the top 10% make $125,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,470 and $93,100 a year.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,070 | $16.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,470 | $26.67 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $93,100 | $44.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,530 | $60.35 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 33rd 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 $115,080California $99,230Maryland $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 $63,400South 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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($62,400) 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 Illinois?
The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Illinois is $62,400 per year, or about $30.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,070 at the entry level to $125,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Fire Inspectors and Investigators about 18% less than the national median of $75,920. Illinois ranks 33rd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Fire Inspectors and Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,400 a year. About 440 Fire Inspectors and Investigators are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.