Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Wilmington, NC
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $45,100 a year ($21.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,210 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $75,920. Pay here is 33% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $66,820. There are 0.43 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,640 | $18.10 |
| 25th percentile | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Median | $45,100 | $21.68 |
| 75th percentile | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,210 | $32.79 |
| Average (mean) | $50,730 | $24.39 |
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 | $3,758.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,879.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,734.62 |
| Weekly | $867.31 |
| Hourly | $21.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,100 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 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $75,470 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $73,540 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $63,950 | 50 |
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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $35,580 | $17.10 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $53,520 | $25.73 |
| Security Guard | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,810 | $23.47 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,070 | $13.01 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,670 | $45.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $68,940 | $33.15 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $68,440 | $32.90 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,010 | $21.64 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $45,100 a year, or $21.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $68,210 a year. The top 25% earn $57,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,640 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $39,040 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Wilmington, NC?
About 80 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.