SOC 33-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fire Inspectors and Investigators — Buffalo
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · 4 metro areas compared
At $78,150, median pay for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Buffalo, NY tracks the national median of $75,920 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $78,150, median pay for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Buffalo, NY tracks the national median of $75,920 closely. Pay ranges from under $48,440 at the tenth percentile to more than $89,550 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,920 to $82,640.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.80 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Albany records the highest median at $82,640. Of the 586 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 187th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,440 | −36.2% |
| 25th | $51,920 | −31.6% |
| Median (50th) | $78,150 | +2.9% |
| 75th | $82,640 | +8.9% |
| 90th | $89,550 | +18.0% |
| Mean | $70,520 | −7.1% |
Other metro areas in New York
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Buffalo run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $78,150 buys what $72,428 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,150as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,428US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,150 a year, 2.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,440 to $89,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Albany, at $82,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Buffalo, NY?
The median annual wage is $78,150, or $37.57 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $75,920, so pay in Buffalo, NY is 2.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Buffalo, NY earns more than $89,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,440 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Albany, at $82,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Buffalo, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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