How much does a fire inspector make?
a year · about $37 an hour
A typical fire inspector in the United States makes $75,920 a year, about $37 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A fire inspector may walk through a school, shop, or apartment, checking exits, alarms, sprinklers, and other hazards. They explain what needs fixing and write a report; some days they review building plans or investigate a fire scene.
Did you know? Some U.S. fire inspectors check building blueprints before construction begins, spotting fire-safety problems on paper.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $46,530 and $118,750How do you become one?
Finish high school, then gain experience as a firefighter or in a related job. After hiring, you receive on-the-job training and may need a certification; state and local rules differ.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experienced inspectors and people with sought-after certifications may earn more. Pay can also differ by employer, location, and how complex the work is.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($122,900), lowest in Oklahoma ($37,320).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,530 | $75,920 | $118,750 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $122,900 | about 380 |
| Oregon | $115,080 | — |
| California | $99,230 | about 1,000 |
| Maryland | $98,730 | about 270 |
| Nevada | $93,450 | about 190 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/fire-inspectors-and-investigators.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-2021.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY