SOC 33-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fire Inspectors and Investigators — Charleston
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Median pay for this occupation in Charleston, SC is $62,180 a year, trailing the national median of $75,920 by 18.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Charleston, SC is $62,180 a year, trailing the national median of $75,920 by 18.1%. Half of workers earn between $55,620 and $78,270. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $43,220 and the ninetieth at $78,270.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.1 of every thousand jobs. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 225th of 513 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,220 | −43.1% |
| 25th | $55,620 | −26.7% |
| Median (50th) | $62,180 | −18.1% |
| 75th | $78,270 | +3.1% |
| 90th | $78,270 | +3.1% |
| Mean | $64,490 | −15.1% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Charleston run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $62,180 goes as far as $66,361 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,361US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,180 a year, 18.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,220 to $78,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in Charleston, SC?
The median annual wage is $62,180, or $29.89 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 Charleston, SC is 18.1% lower. 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 Charleston, SC earns more than $78,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,220 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Charleston, SC. 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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