Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Oklahoma
$53,000 / year
≈ $4,400 per month · $25.48 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Oklahoma · median $38,500
25th percentile
$33,500Average
$53,00075th percentile
$67,500
$33,500Average
$53,00075th percentile
$67,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary by state
Alabama$75,500
Arizona$75,500
Arkansas$63,000
California$106,000
Colorado$94,500
Connecticut$84,000
Florida$81,000
Georgia$71,000
Idaho$86,500
Illinois$76,000
Indiana$75,000
Iowa$81,000
Kansas$71,500
Kentucky$59,000
Louisiana$76,500
Maine$66,500
Maryland$92,000
Massachusetts$89,000
Michigan$80,000
Minnesota$85,000
Mississippi$58,000
Missouri$73,000
Nebraska$78,500
Nevada$95,000
New Hampshire$80,000
New Jersey$70,000
New Mexico$69,000
New York$80,000
North Carolina$68,000
North Dakota$81,500
Ohio$77,500
Oklahoma$53,000
Oregon$113,500
Pennsylvania$64,000
Rhode Island$81,000
South Carolina$67,000
Tennessee$68,000
Texas$83,500
Utah$74,500
Virginia$73,500
Washington$118,000
West Virginia$58,500
Wisconsin$78,500
About this role
Fire Inspectors and Investigators is a professional role within the function in the Protective Service job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Fire Inspectors and Investigatorss do
Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate
- Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
Top skills: Active Listening Writing Speaking Critical Thinking Social Perceptiveness Reading Comprehension
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay by experience level
Entry level$48,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$60,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$78,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$98,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$123,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.8%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,500
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
11,510 workers
$81,500Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
9,990 workers
$82,500State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,520 workers
$77,000Investigation and Security Services
460 workers
$61,000Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
450 workers
$101,000Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities
430 workers
$101,000Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
390 workers
$98,500Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
250 workers
$93,500Educational Services
210 workers
$74,000Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
170 workers
$72,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Fire Inspectors and Investigators pays 16% above the average across 28 roles in the Protective Service job family (family average $70,500).
Similar-paying roles in Protective Service
Careers related to Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Firefighter$66,000
Energy Auditor$80,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Fire Inspectors and Investigators make?
The average base salary for a Fire Inspectors and Investigators in the United States is $81,500 per year, or about $39.18 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $61,000 and $98,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Protective Service roles?
The Protective Service job family averages $70,500 across 28 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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