Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Tennessee
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Tennessee earn a median of $63,400 a year ($30.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,560 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $75,920. Tennessee ranks 32nd of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay. There are 0.12 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| 25th percentile | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Median | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| 75th percentile | $80,460 | $38.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| Average (mean) | $65,800 | $31.64 |
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 | $5,283.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,641.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,438.46 |
| Weekly | $1,219.23 |
| Hourly | $30.48 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $82,280 | 80 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $77,160 | 140 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Security Guard | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,250 | $13.10 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in Tennessee is $63,400 a year, or $30.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in Tennessee earn at least $87,560 a year. The top 25% earn $80,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,150 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $52,880 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Tennessee?
About 390 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.