How Much Does an Arson Investigator Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$75,920
Arson investigators in the U.S. earn a median of $75,920 a year, or $36.50 an hour. Half of arson investigators earn more than $75,920 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $118,750.
Pay percentiles for arson investigators
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22.37 | $46,530 |
| 25th | $28.22 | $58,690 |
| 50th (median) | $36.50 | $75,920 |
| 75th | $45.73 | $95,120 |
| 90th | $57.09 | $118,750 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for arson investigators
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $122,900 | $59.09 | +62% |
| Oregon | $115,080 | $55.33 | +52% |
| California | $99,230 | $47.71 | +31% |
| Maryland | $98,730 | $47.46 | +30% |
| Nevada | $93,450 | $44.93 | +23% |
| Colorado | $85,750 | $41.23 | +13% |
| Minnesota | $84,410 | $40.58 | +11% |
| Texas | $82,390 | $39.61 | +9% |
| Iowa | $81,860 | $39.35 | +8% |
| Massachusetts | $81,140 | $39.01 | +7% |
| United States | $75,920 | $36.50 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many arson investigators are there?
BLS counts about 13,800 arson investigators employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Fire Inspectors and Investigators”. The most jobs are in California (1,350), New Jersey (1,290) and New York (1,200).
The mean (average) annual wage is $78,670, higher than the median of $75,920.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,327
- Biweekly
- $2,920
- Weekly
- $1,460
- Daily (8 hours)
- $292
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do arson investigators make an hour?
The median hourly wage for arson investigators is $36.50. The middle 50% earn between $28.22 and $45.73 an hour.
Which state pays arson investigators the most?
Washington has the highest median wage for arson investigators at $122,900, +62% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for arson investigators?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of arson investigators earn less than $46,530 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.