Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in New Jersey
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in New Jersey earn a median of $60,100 a year ($28.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,670 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $75,920. New Jersey ranks 35th of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay. There are 0.30 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,880 | $21.09 |
| 25th percentile | $48,620 | $23.37 |
| Median | $60,100 | $28.90 |
| 75th percentile | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,670 | $50.32 |
| Average (mean) | $67,760 | $32.58 |
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 | $5,008.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,504.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,311.54 |
| Weekly | $1,155.77 |
| Hourly | $28.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $72,290 | 70 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,710 | 1,720 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,080 | 330 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $55,930 | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $48,060 | 40 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Security Guard | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,610 | $44.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $68.75 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $94,770 | $45.56 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $116,300 | $55.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,210 | $64.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $117,450 | $56.47 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in New Jersey is $60,100 a year, or $28.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in New Jersey earn at least $104,670 a year. The top 25% earn $81,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,880 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $48,620 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in New Jersey?
About 1,290 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.