Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $137,320 +75.9% vs national
Median hourly $66.02
10th percentile $58,840
90th percentile $197,890
Employed locally 40
National median $78,060

Compare Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary & buying power

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Fire Inspectors and Investigators
in
San Jose, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $58,840
    25th
    $68,430
    50th (median)
    $137,320
    75th
    $175,040
    90th
    $197,890

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary vs area income 87% Median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary is 13% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,940
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $123,080
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $121,120
    Washington $116,950
    Oregon $115,240

    Nearby metros — Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,940
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $102,500
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $99,310
    California $96,180
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $96,180
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $95,510

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$45,930
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$150,650
    Firefighters$164,940
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$55,870
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$45,190
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$131,210

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in San Jose, CA is $66.02, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $104.66 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in San Jose, CA is 75.9% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Fire Inspectors and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $58,840 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,430.