How much does a fire inspector make?
Answer: A typical fire inspector in the United States makes $75,920 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 14,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Fire inspector pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| California | $99,230 | about 1,000 |
| Texas | $82,390 | about 1,000 |
| Florida | $75,660 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $73,920 | about 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $66,820 | about 870 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a fire inspector 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.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some U.S. fire inspectors check building blueprints before construction begins, spotting fire-safety problems on paper.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Protective Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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