Fire Inspectors and Investigators salary in Washington
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Washington earn a median of $122,900 a year ($59.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,760 for the top 10%. That is 62% higher than the national median of $75,920. Washington ranks 1st of 43 states for fire inspectors and investigators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.11 fire inspectors and investigators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $114,250, close to the median.
Pay range for fire inspectors and investigators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,810 | $37.41 |
| 25th percentile | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| Median | $122,900 | $59.09 |
| 75th percentile | $130,740 | $62.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,760 | $70.08 |
| Average (mean) | $114,250 | $54.93 |
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 | $10,241.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,120.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,726.92 |
| Weekly | $2,363.46 |
| Hourly | $59.09 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $127,920 | 210 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $119,780 | n/a |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Security Guard | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $55.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $98,910 | $47.55 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $79,270 | $38.11 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for fire inspectors and investigators in Washington is $122,900 a year, or $59.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fire inspectors and investigators make in Washington?
The top 10% of fire inspectors and investigators in Washington earn at least $145,760 a year. The top 25% earn $130,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for fire inspectors and investigators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,810 a year, and a quarter of fire inspectors and investigators earn $95,640 or less.
How many fire inspectors and investigators work in Washington?
About 380 fire inspectors and investigators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.