Fire Inspectors and Investigators Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $81,740 +4.7% vs national
Median hourly $39.30
10th percentile $59,340
90th percentile $113,350
Employed locally 140
National median $78,060

Compare Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Fire Inspectors and Investigators
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,340
    25th
    $67,190
    50th (median)
    $81,740
    75th
    $104,840
    90th
    $113,350

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary vs area income 66% Median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary is 34% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$47,260
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$83,430
    Firefighters$67,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$124,770
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators$153,340
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$69,040

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $39.30, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.53 or more per hour.

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

    The median Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 4.7% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Fire Inspectors and Investigators (10th percentile) earn around $59,340 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,190.