North Carolina Median
$66,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $75,920
State Rank
#26 of 43
870 employed here
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make in North Carolina?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $66,820 per year, or about $32.13 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $75,920 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,260 while the top 10% make $90,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,940 and $78,990 a year.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,260 | $18.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,940 | $22.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,820 | $32.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $78,990 | $37.98 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,890 | $43.70 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 26th 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 $70,460Wisconsin $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($66,820) 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 North Carolina?
The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in North Carolina is $66,820 per year, or about $32.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,260 at the entry level to $90,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Fire Inspectors and Investigators about 12% less than the national median of $75,920. North Carolina ranks 26th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Fire Inspectors and Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,820 a year. About 870 Fire Inspectors and Investigators are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.