Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in California
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in California earn a median of $99,230 a year ($47.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,590 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $75,920. California ranks 3rd of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.07 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| 25th percentile | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Median | $99,230 | $47.71 |
| 75th percentile | $122,730 | $59.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,590 | $72.40 |
| Average (mean) | $102,500 | $49.28 |
Half of fire inspectors and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,269.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,134.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,816.54 |
| Weekly | $1,908.27 |
| Hourly | $47.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,220 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $129,410 | 270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,690 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $99,660 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $99,580 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $98,150 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,090 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,250 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $94,140 | n/a |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $86,830 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for fire inspectors and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $122,900 |
| Oregon | $115,080 |
| California | $99,230 |
| Maryland | $98,730 |
| Nevada | $93,450 |
| Colorado | $85,750 |
| Minnesota | $84,410 |
| Texas | $82,390 |
| Iowa | $81,860 |
| Massachusetts | $81,140 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $97,370 | $46.81 |
| Security Guard | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $118,880 | $57.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $163,960 | $78.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $124,840 | $60.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,610 | $35.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $131,210 | $63.08 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fire inspectors and investigators make in California?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in California is $99,230 a year, or $47.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in California?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in California earn at least $150,590 a year. The top 25% earn $122,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,080 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $79,370 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in California?
About 1,350 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.