Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $96,180 +23.2% vs national
Median hourly $46.24
10th percentile $58,430
90th percentile $103,850
Employed locally 80
National median $78,060

Compare Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary & buying power

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Fire Inspectors and Investigators
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,430
    25th
    $79,400
    50th (median)
    $96,180
    75th
    $96,180
    90th
    $103,850

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary vs area income 94% Median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary is 6% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $137,320
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,940
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $102,500
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $99,310
    California $96,180
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $95,510

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $41,380
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $109,190
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $118,830
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $43,190
    Firefighters $70,120
    Protective Service Workers, All Other $38,700

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in San Diego, CA is $46.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in San Diego, CA is 23.2% above 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Fire Inspectors and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $58,430 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,400.