Sources: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
California state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective September 14, 2026. These are the ranges California sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Arson and Bomb Investigator Class 8997 Grade 8997 | $7,276.00 – $9,994.00 a month $87,312 – $119,928 a year |
| Senior Arson and Bomb Investigator Class 9015 Grade 9015 | $8,504.00 – $11,814.00 a month $102,048 – $141,768 a year |
Schedule: Civil Service Pay Scale (Section 17, by schematic code). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: California Department of Human Resources (CalHR), California State Civil Service Pay Scales — Section 17 Schematic Listing (with Section 16 Schematic Arrangement of Classes). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in California, all employers Sourced
Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021) in California, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | CA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 1,350 |
| 10th percentile | $60,080 |
| Median | $99,230 |
| 90th percentile | $150,590 |
| National median, government employers | $76,670 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Employers in California
581 fire departments in California, largest CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection- HQ, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for California
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) ExamEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- IAAI Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Fire / Arson Investigator page.