CFChooseField
Public Safety

Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Median pay

$78,060
Median annual pay for Fire Inspectors and Investigators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

14,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Fire Inspectors and Investigators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical additional preparation: 5 years or more of related work experience; Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Writing
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3Building and Construction
  4. 4Law and Government
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6English Language

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Written Expression
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Oral Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Integrity
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Self-Control
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  2. 2Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  3. 3Documenting/Recording Information
  4. 4Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  5. 5Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4E-Mail
  5. 5Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  6. 6Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

Representative tasks

  • Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
  • Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
  • Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
  • Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
  • Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
  • Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
  • Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
  • Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandMicrosoft Word · in demandMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyCode database softwareConsolidated Model of Fire and Smoke Transport CFASTEmail softwareFire Dynamics Software FDSNational Fire Incident Reporting System NFIRSWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.