Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in North Carolina
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in North Carolina earn a median of $66,820 a year ($32.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,890 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $75,920. North Carolina ranks 26th of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay. There are 0.18 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,570, close to the median.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 25th percentile | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Median | $66,820 | $32.12 |
| 75th percentile | $78,990 | $37.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,890 | $43.70 |
| Average (mean) | $65,570 | $31.52 |
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 | $5,568.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,784.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,570 |
| Weekly | $1,285 |
| Hourly | $32.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,820 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 cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $77,120 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $76,740 | 260 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $75,470 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Security Guard | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $91,100 | $43.80 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,730 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,970 | $15.85 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,540 | $31.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,270 | $32.34 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in North Carolina is $66,820 a year, or $32.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in North Carolina earn at least $90,890 a year. The top 25% earn $78,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,260 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $46,940 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in North Carolina?
About 870 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.