Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Illinois
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Illinois earn a median of $62,400 a year ($30.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,530 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $75,920. Illinois ranks 33rd of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay. There are 0.07 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $73,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| 25th percentile | $55,470 | $26.67 |
| Median | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| 75th percentile | $93,100 | $44.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,530 | $60.35 |
| Average (mean) | $73,330 | $35.25 |
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 | $5,200 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,600 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,400 |
| Weekly | $1,200 |
| Hourly | $30.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $80,340 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $62,400 | 350 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Security Guard | $39,490 | $18.98 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $135,080 | $64.94 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,190 | $43.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $123,500 | $59.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $105,450 | $50.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $60,210 | $28.95 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in Illinois is $62,400 a year, or $30.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in Illinois earn at least $125,530 a year. The top 25% earn $93,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,070 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $55,470 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Illinois?
About 440 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.