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Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipHigh pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $75,920 Median per year · $36.50/hr Most earn $46,530–$118,750

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
  • Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
  • Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
  • Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.
  • Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.
  • Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 1,600 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals69.8%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals11.1%
  • Support activities for agriculture and forestry3.1%
  • Other insurance related activities2.7%
  • Security systems services2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Fire inspectors and investigators usually aren't hired straight out of school. Most people first earn a certificate, then work 1 to 2 years in a related fire or safety job before moving into this role.

  1. High school diploma plus a fire science or EMT certificate

    about 1 year

    Finishing high school and completing a basic fire science or EMT certificate shows employers you know fire safety basics and are ready for the firefighting job that usually comes next.

  2. Firefighter

    1-2 years

    Working as a firefighter teaches you how fires start and spread, how buildings are built, and how to follow fire codes, which is the hands-on experience inspectors need.

  3. Fire Inspector and Investigator

    Ongoing

    Inspectors check buildings for fire hazards and enforce local codes, and investigators work out what caused fires and explosions.

Where it can lead

  1. Fire Inspector and Investigator Supervisor

    1-2 years of experience first

    A First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers leads a team of inspectors or firefighters, plans their work, and handles training and reports, which takes strong leadership and experience in the field.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take chemistry and physicsThese classes explain how fire, heat, and materials behave, which is the science behind fire investigation.
  • Join a fire explorer or junior firefighter programMany towns have youth programs where you can learn fire safety and see the work up close.
  • Get CPR and first aid certificationThis is a low-cost, widely recognized skill that fire and safety jobs often ask for.
  • Volunteer with a local fire department or community safety groupVolunteering shows you how emergency response works and builds a reference for future applications.
  • Take English and writing-focused classesInspectors write reports and explain rules to people, so strong writing matters.

In college

  • Study fire science, fire protection, or a related majorA fire science or fire protection program teaches building codes, fire behavior, and investigation methods that this career uses every day.
  • Earn EMT certificationEMT training is a common requirement for firefighting jobs, which is often the first step toward this career.
  • Seek an internship or part-time job with a fire department or building inspection officeHands-on experience shows how inspections and investigations are done and gives you contacts in the field.
  • Join a campus safety, emergency management, or engineering clubThese groups build teamwork and practical safety skills, and they look good on job applications.
  • Look into fire investigation or fire inspection certificationsCertifications from recognized fire service groups can help you stand out once you start working in the field.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask your local fire department or building inspection office whether they have volunteer, part-time, or cadet roles you could try, and talk to an inspector about what a typical day looks like.
  • Get certified in CPR and first aid early, since it is inexpensive and shows employers you take safety seriously.
  • Practice clear writing. Inspectors and investigators write detailed reports and explain code rules to property owners, so good English and organized notes help a lot.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Fire Protection Certificate: typical pay 1 year after finishing $51,403 a year · typical debt $3,825

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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