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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.
Other titles employers use
Arson Investigator · Fire Code Inspector · Fire Inspector · Fire Investigator · Fire Official · Fire Prevention Inspector · Fire Prevention Specialist · Fire Protection Specialist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
Subjects to know
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Building and Construction
- Law and Government
- Education and Training
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.5 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.3 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A certificate or some college 53%
- High school or less 29%
- A two-year degree 13%
- A master's degree 3%
- A four-year degree 2%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,690
- Job openings each year
- 240
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 8.0%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2,690 | 240 | 8.0% |
| New Jersey | 1,160 | 100 | 1.8% |
| Texas | 1,040 | 90 | 11.8% |
| Illinois | 640 | 60 | 6.7% |
| North Carolina | 590 | 50 | 13.5% |
| Ohio | 480 | 40 | 2.1% |
| Georgia | 380 | 30 | 8.6% |
| Maryland | 340 | 30 | 9.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 240 | 20 | 4.3% |
| Colorado | 220 | 20 | 15.8% |
| Missouri | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| Arizona | 200 | 20 | — |
| Wisconsin | 170 | 10 | — |
| Washington | 160 | 20 | 6.7% |
| Oregon | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Louisiana | 120 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 110 | 10 | — |
| Maine | 100 | 10 | — |
| Utah | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Mississippi | 80 | 10 | — |
| Iowa | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Nebraska | 70 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 60 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Vermont | 40 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Eastern Kentucky University
- Degrees each year
- 68
- Admit rate
- 78%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
California State University-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 39
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $5,000
Fayetteville State University
- Degrees each year
- 37
- Admit rate
- 80%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Degrees each year
- 36
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Degrees each year
- 33
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
University of New Haven
- Degrees each year
- 23
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $32,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 23
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
New Jersey City University
- Degrees each year
- 21
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $18,000