What is the salary of a Fire Inspector and Investigator?

The typical salary range is $54,642 - $109,284 per year.

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What does a typical day look like as a Fire Inspector and Investigator?

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Government & Public ServicesStable

Fire Inspector and Investigator

Operational-level

Also known as: Alarm Inspector, Alarm Sprinkler Inspector, Arson and Bomb Investigator, Arson Investigator

Government & Public ServicesBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Fire Inspector and Investigator, you inspect buildings to detect fire risks and make sure they follow local safety laws. You also gather facts and evidence to figure out what caused fires or explosions. You'll spend a lot of time talking with people, both individually and in teams, often communicating by phone and email. This job involves traveling to different sites, often in an enclosed vehicle, and requires strong critical thinking and communication skills.

Fire SafetyFire InvestigationCode EnforcementForensic SciencePublic SafetyCriminal JusticeGovernment ServicesRisk ManagementPolice & MilitaryGovernment

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the Fire Department's Public Safety Building, grabbing a coffee before heading to your desk. Your computer flickers on, and you open Outlook, scanning emails from property managers and city planning. You check Accela, the department's permitting and inspection software, reviewing your morning's schedule: a routine restaurant inspection and a follow-up on a previous hazard notice. A quick nod to Battalion Chief Ramirez as he passes, discussing last night's call logs.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

In-demand software

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+4.2%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

1,600

per year (US)

Jobs today

14,700

in 2025 → 15,300 (2035)

Typical entry education

Postsecondary nondegree award

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

High

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Moderate

Working outdoors

High

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

High

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

This career has a stable outlook, with about 1,600 job openings projected each year through 2035. The median annual wage is around $75,920, and an Associate's Degree is typically required. You can advance from this role to positions like Senior Fire Inspector or Fire Marshal.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Firefighter
Building Inspector Assistant
Safety Technician

Fire Inspector and Investigator

Where it can lead

Senior Fire Inspector
Fire Marshal
Forensic Investigator (Fire/Explosion)

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly augment fire inspectors' capabilities by automating routine data analysis for risk assessment and streamlining investigation processes through predictive modeling. This shift will empower human experts to focus on complex cases, strategic planning, and critical on-site verification, necessitating the mastery of new AI-powered tools.

Salary

$75,920

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position