Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $75,470 a year ($36.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,240 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $75,920. Pay here is 13% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $66,820. There are 0.11 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,220, close to the median.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| 25th percentile | $59,890 | $28.80 |
| Median | $75,470 | $36.28 |
| 75th percentile | $86,910 | $41.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,240 | $46.27 |
| Average (mean) | $72,220 | $34.72 |
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 | $6,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,144.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,902.69 |
| Weekly | $1,451.35 |
| Hourly | $36.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $77,120 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,740 | 260 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $73,540 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $63,950 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,100 | 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 |
See Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Security Guard | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,520 | $28.61 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,280 | $13.11 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,450 | $24.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| School Bus Monitor | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,790 | $27.78 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $53,610 | $25.77 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $75,470 a year, or $36.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $96,240 a year. The top 25% earn $86,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,930 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $59,890 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 40 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.