Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Columbus, OH
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $63,460 a year ($30.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,150 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $75,920. Pay here is 7% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $59,280. There are 0.14 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,920 | $20.64 |
| 25th percentile | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| Median | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| 75th percentile | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Average (mean) | $75,170 | $36.14 |
Half of fire inspectors and investigators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,288.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,644.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,440.77 |
| Weekly | $1,220.38 |
| Hourly | $30.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $86,290 | 40 |
| Toledo, OH | $66,540 | 40 |
| Cleveland, OH | $57,590 | 80 |
| Akron, OH | $54,350 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for fire inspectors and investigators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $122,900 |
| Oregon | $115,080 |
| California | $99,230 |
| Maryland | $98,730 |
| Nevada | $93,450 |
| Colorado | $85,750 |
| Minnesota | $84,410 |
| Texas | $82,390 |
| Iowa | $81,860 |
| Massachusetts | $81,140 |
See Fire Inspectors and Investigators pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Security Guard | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,890 | $48.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Bailiff | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,800 | $22.50 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fire inspectors and investigators make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area is $63,460 a year, or $30.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $99,150 a year. The top 25% earn $75,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,920 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $45,060 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Columbus, OH?
About 150 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.