Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $71,790 -8% vs national
Median hourly $34.51
10th percentile $43,030
90th percentile $97,380
Employed locally 40
National median $78,060

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Fire Inspectors and Investigators
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,030
    25th
    $60,600
    50th (median)
    $71,790
    75th
    $91,990
    90th
    $97,380

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary vs area income 89% Median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary is 11% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fire Inspectors and Investigators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $149,870
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,320
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,940
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $123,080
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,120
    Washington $116,950

    Nearby metros — Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,940
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,120
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $80,430
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $80,290
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $74,380
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $71,160

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $39,070
    Firefighters $37,860
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $59,840
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $35,770
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $96,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fire Inspectors and Investigators make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Durham, NC is $34.51, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.27 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Fire Inspectors and Investigators salaries?

    The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Durham, NC is 8% below the national median of $78,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Durham?

    Entry-level Fire Inspectors and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $43,030 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,600.