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Occupation · SOC 33-2021

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

There are 13,800 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $75,920 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
13,800
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$75,920
Median pay a year
Middle half: $58,690–$95,120
1,600
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.2%
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 80 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $65,710 · LCA filings 01,720$65,7100
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $82,390 · LCA filings 0410$82,3900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $62,400 · LCA filings 0350$62,4000
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $88,260 · LCA filings 0350$88,2600
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $59,080 · LCA filings 0330$59,0800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $94,690 · LCA filings 0290$94,6900
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $99,580 · LCA filings 0270$99,5800
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $129,410 · LCA filings 0270$129,4100
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $76,740 · LCA filings 0260$76,7400
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDMedian pay $98,730 · LCA filings 0220$98,7300

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$159,220400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$129,4102700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 210 · LCA filings 0$127,9202100
Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, CAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$107,6901000
Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury, CTEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$99,860700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $62,462 · Level III $74,069 · Level IV $85,696$50,835$62,462$74,069$85,696
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $73,133 · Level III $80,787 · Level IV $88,442$65,478$73,133$80,787$88,442
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $61,131 · Level III $74,318 · Level IV $87,506$47,944$61,131$74,318$87,506
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $75,504 · Level III $88,275 · Level IV $101,067$62,712$75,504$88,275$101,067
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $52,832 · Level III $64,438 · Level IV $76,045$41,226$52,832$64,438$76,045
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $76,856 · Level III $86,923 · Level IV $96,970$66,810$76,856$86,923$96,970
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $83,325 · Level III $96,325 · Level IV $109,304$70,346$83,325$96,325$109,304
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $104,208 · Level III $124,654 · Level IV $145,080$83,782$104,208$124,654$145,080
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $55,328 · Level III $68,120 · Level IV $80,891$42,557$55,328$68,120$80,891
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDLevel II $77,542 · Level III $89,856 · Level IV $102,149$65,250$77,542$89,856$102,149

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Fire ProtectionCIP 43.02OPT · up to 12 months47OPT · up to 12 months

See Fire Inspectors and Investigators in every metro area

All 80 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

Security GuardsPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCorrectional Officers and JailersFirefightersProtective Service Workers, All OtherCrossing Guards and FlaggersSchool Bus Monitors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology