Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Virginia
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Virginia earn a median of $70,460 a year ($33.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,070 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $75,920. Virginia ranks 25th of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay. There are 0.02 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $71,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| 25th percentile | $59,060 | $28.39 |
| Median | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| 75th percentile | $81,280 | $39.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,070 | $43.30 |
| Average (mean) | $71,060 | $34.17 |
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 | $5,871.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,935.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,710 |
| Weekly | $1,355 |
| Hourly | $33.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $87,630 | 110 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Security Guard | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $54.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $69,910 | $33.61 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in Virginia is $70,460 a year, or $33.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in Virginia earn at least $90,070 a year. The top 25% earn $81,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,510 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $59,060 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Virginia?
About 100 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.