Sources: New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification, New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
New Mexico state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 4, 2026. These are the ranges New Mexico sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Fire Investigator Class M20212 Grade C7 | $56,931 – $85,396 a year |
Schedule: FY27 Classified Service Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification, New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in New Mexico, all employers Sourced
Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021) in New Mexico, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NM |
|---|---|
| Workers | 160 |
| 10th percentile | $54,870 |
| Median | $64,680 |
| 90th percentile | $78,530 |
| 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 New Mexico
50 fire departments in New Mexico, largest Albuquerque Fire Department, Bernalillo County Fire & Rescue, Las Cruces Fire Department.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for New Mexico
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.