West Virginia Median
$52,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-31% vs US median
US median $75,920
State Rank
#42 of 43
70 employed here
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make in West Virginia?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in West Virginia take home a median of $52,490 annually — roughly $25.24 an hour — which runs 31% below the national median of $75,920.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $42,310 while the top 10% make $66,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,440 and $59,520 a year.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,310 | $20.34 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,440 | $22.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $52,490 | $25.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $59,520 | $28.62 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,490 | $31.97 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 42nd 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 $63,400Illinois $62,400South Carolina $61,890New Jersey $60,100Ohio $59,280Pennsylvania $59,080Maine $58,240Arkansas $57,990Kentucky $55,970Mississippi $55,260Oklahoma $37,320
Working as Fire Inspectors and Investigators in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($52,490) 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 West Virginia?
The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in West Virginia is $52,490 per year, or about $25.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,310 at the entry level to $66,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Fire Inspectors and Investigators about 31% less than the national median of $75,920. West Virginia ranks 42nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Fire Inspectors and Investigators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,490 a year. About 70 Fire Inspectors and Investigators are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.