Sources: Kansas Department of Administration, Office of Personnel Services, Kansas Civil Service Basic Pay Plan (FY 2027, effective June 7, 2026) and Class Specifications; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Kansas state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective June 7, 2026. These are the ranges Kansas sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Fire Investigator Class 8081L1 · class description Grade 33 | $25.30 – $47.76 an hour $52,624 – $99,341 a year 27 steps
|
Schedule: Kansas Civil Service Basic Pay Plan — Basic Steps (Hourly Rates). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions (hourly × 2,080). Classes are matched to this job by their titles.
Source: Kansas Department of Administration, Office of Personnel Services, Kansas Civil Service Basic Pay Plan (FY 2027, effective June 7, 2026) and Class Specifications. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in Kansas, all employers Sourced
Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021) in Kansas, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | KS |
|---|---|
| Workers | 90 |
| 10th percentile | $44,440 |
| Median | $64,290 |
| 90th percentile | $98,140 |
| 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.
Pension in Kansas
State employees
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KPERS 3 (Cash Balance Plan) KPERS 3 | — | age 65 with 5 years of service | 6% | Covered |
Local employees
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KPERS 3 (Cash Balance Plan) KPERS 3 | — | age 65 with 5 years of service | 6% | Covered |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Kansas pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in Kansas
106 fire departments in Kansas, largest Wichita Fire Department, Kansas City Fire Department, Topeka Fire Department.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Kansas
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.
Fire / Arson Investigator in other states
More government jobs in Kansas
Kansas government jobs · Kansas public pension plans · police officer standards in Kansas · exam practice in Kansas