Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn a median of $75,920 per year ($36.50/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 4.2% through 2035, with about 1,600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 33-2021
- Protective Service
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Fire Inspector and Investigator in four numbers
- Median pay
- $75,920a year, or $36.50/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $47KTop 10% $119K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.2%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,60014,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202514.7K
- Projected 203515.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 14.7K Projected 2035 15.3K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school6.8%
- High school22.6%
- Certificate27.5%
- Some college26%
- Associate's12.8%
- Master's2%
Highest education held by fire inspectors and investigators Segment Value Less than high school 6.8% High school 22.6% Certificate 27.5% Some college 26% Associate's 12.8% Master's 2%
Also advertised as: Arson Investigator, Fire Code Inspector, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Fire Official, Fire Prevention Inspector.
Pay
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make?
Every fire inspector and investigator in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$75,920
Middle half earn $58,690 to $95,120
- 10th
- $46,530
- 25th
- $58,690
- 75th
- $95,120
- 90th
- $118,750
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $46,530 |
| 25th | $58,690 |
| Median | $75,920 |
| 75th | $95,120 |
| 90th | $118,750 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $75,920
- Median hourly wage
- $36.50/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $78,670
- People employed
- 13,800
Versus all US occupations
At $75,920, Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn 49% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $24,940 a year.
Versus protective service occupations
Inside the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $74,060, this is 3% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $118,750 or more while the bottom 10% earn $46,530, a gap of 2.6×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 51% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $122,900, and still leads at $114,846 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Fire Inspectors and Investigators the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $122,900 | $114,846 | 380 |
| 2Oregon | $115,080 | $111,338 | N/A |
| 3California | $99,230 | $89,622 | 1,350 |
| 4Maryland | $98,730 | $94,065 | 270 |
| 5Nevada | $93,450 | $93,470 | 190 |
| 6Colorado | $85,750 | $83,210 | N/A |
| 7Minnesota | $84,410 | $85,590 | 230 |
| 8Texas | $82,390 | $84,888 | 1,030 |
| 9Iowa | $81,860 | $93,275 | 30 |
| 10Massachusetts | $81,140 | $76,723 | 200 |
Job outlook
Is Fire Inspector and Investigator a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +4.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | +4.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Fire Inspectors and Investigators to change 4.2% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 600 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,600 openings are projected each year, 10.9% of the 14,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of fire inspectors varies by occupation (see table).
Fire inspectors will be needed to assess potential fire hazards in newly constructed residential, commercial, public, and other buildings. Fire inspectors also will be needed to ensure that existing buildings meet updated federal, state, and local fire codes. Although the number of structural fires occurring across the country has been falling for some time, fire investigators will still be needed to determine the cause of fires and explosions.
Getting in
How to become a Fire Inspector and Investigator
To enter the occupation, fire inspectors typically need at least a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience as a firefighter or in a related occupation. Once hired, they typically receive on-the-job-training in inspection and investigation.
Fire inspectors usually must pass a background check, which may include a drug test. Employers also typically require that candidates have a valid driver’s license. Because of their police powers, investigators and inspectors may need to be U.S. citizens. They also may need certification.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as fire inspectors and investigators.
- Post-Secondary Certificate27.5%
- Some College Courses26%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)22.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12.8%
- Less than a High School Diploma6.8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 27.5% |
| Some College Courses | 26% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 22.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 12.8% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 6.8% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Fire Inspector and Investigator do?
Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.
Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire codes, and investigate causes of fires.
Day-to-day tasks
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
- Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
- Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
- Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
- Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
- Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
- Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most fire inspectors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Their schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where fire inspectors and investigators work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals70%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals11%
- Finance and insurance3%
- Educational services; state, local, and private2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 70% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 11% |
| Finance and insurance | 3% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.6
- Writing3.5
- Speaking3.5
- Critical Thinking3.5
- Reading Comprehension3.4
- Monitoring3.3
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.4 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Persuasion3.3
- Instructing3.3
- Service Orientation3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Persuasion | 3.3 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Human resources software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Fire Inspector and Investigator?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Fire Inspector and Investigator |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.5
- Conventional5.2
- Investigative4.3
- Enterprising3.3
- Social2.6
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Fire Inspector and Investigator
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
- Protective Service
- Protective Service
Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist
$56,870median a year
Most earn $35K to $105K
+13.1%High school - Protective Service
First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
$93,530median a year
Most earn $53K to $140K
+3.7%Certificate - Construction and Extraction
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
$90,150median a year
Most earn $55K to $135K
+18.5%Bachelor's
More protective service careers
Median annual pay, with fire inspectors and investigators highlighted
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$93,790
- Intelligence Analyst$93,790
- Police Officer$76,210
- Custom and Border Protection Officer$76,210
- Fire Inspector and Investigator$75,920
- Firefighter$59,280
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$58,940
- Private Detective and Investigator$51,220
- Security Guard$38,020
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Detective and Criminal Investigator | $93,790 |
| Intelligence Analyst | $93,790 |
| Police Officer | $76,210 |
| Custom and Border Protection Officer | $76,210 |
| Fire Inspector and Investigator | $75,920 |
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Correctional Officer and Jailer | $58,940 |
| Private Detective and Investigator | $51,220 |
| Security Guard | $38,020 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within fire inspector and investigator
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Fire Inspector and Investigator appears on
Questions
Fire Inspector and Investigator: frequently asked questions
How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make?
Fire Inspectors and Investigators earn a median of $75,920 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 49% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $36.50/hr. The middle half earn between $58,690 and $95,120. The top 10% earn $118,750 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Fire Inspector and Investigator?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Fire Inspectors and Investigators. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 27.5% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Fire Inspector and Investigator a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 4.2% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Fire Inspector and Investigator do?
Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire codes, and investigate causes of fires. A core O*NET task: analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Fire Inspectors and Investigators the most?
The highest state medians for Fire Inspectors and Investigators are Washington ($122,900), Oregon ($115,080), California ($99,230) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Fire Inspector and Investigator?
O*NET scores Fire Inspectors and Investigators highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.