Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay in California
In California, the median pay for fire inspectors and investigators is $47.71 an hour ($99,230 a year). About 1,350 people work in this job there.
That is 31% higher than the U.S. median ($75,920). California ranks 3rd of 43 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $28.89 | $60,080 |
| 25% of workers | $38.16 | $79,370 |
| Half of workers (median) | $47.71 | $99,230 |
| 75% of workers | $59.00 | $122,730 |
| 90% of workers | $72.40 | $150,590 |
Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $159,220 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $129,410 | 270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $107,690 | 100 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $99,660 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $99,580 | 270 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $98,150 | 50 |
| Fresno | $98,090 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $97,250 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $94,140 | 0 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $86,830 | 80 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for fire inspectors and investigators
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 1,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Compliance Officers | $96,980 |
| Firefighters | $85,120 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 |
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $101,290 |
| Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers | $71,570 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $131,540 |
| Transportation Inspectors | $83,000 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.