Fire inspectors examine buildings in order to detect fire hazards and ensure that federal, state, and local fire codes are met. Fire investigators, another type of worker in this field, determine the origin and cause of fires and explosions. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists assess outdoor fire hazards in public and residential areas.
Fire inspectors typically do the following:
Fire investigators typically do the following:
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists assess outdoor fire hazards in public and residential areas. They look for fire code infractions and for conditions that pose a wildfire risk. They also recommend ways to reduce fire hazards. During patrols, they enforce fire regulations and report fire conditions to their central command center.
Fire inspectors and investigators held about 14,200 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of fire inspectors and investigators were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 77% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 8 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 1 |
| Manufacturing | 0 |
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists held about 2,300 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists were as follows:
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 53% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 40 |
Fire inspectors work both in offices and in the field. In the field, inspectors examine buildings such as apartment complexes and offices. They also may visit and inspect other structures, such as arenas and industrial plants. Fire investigators visit the scene of a fire. They may be exposed to poor ventilation, smoke, fumes, and other hazardous agents.
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists spend much of their time outdoors, assessing the risks of fires in places such as forests, fields, and other natural or outdoor environments.
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Working at the scene of a fire can be dangerous. And injuries can occur when workers are patrolling in remote areas with rugged terrain.
Fire inspectors and investigators typically work during regular business hours, but investigators may also work evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur.
Fire inspectors and investigators, as well as forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists, typically have previous work experience as a firefighter. These workers need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and receive on-the-job-training in inspection and investigation.
Fire inspectors and investigators usually must pass a background check, which may include a drug test. Most employers also require inspectors and investigators to have a valid driver’s license, and investigators usually need to be U.S. citizens because of their police powers.
Because fire inspectors and investigators typically have previous work experience as a firefighter, many have completed a postsecondary educational program for emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Some employers prefer candidates with a 2- or 4-year degree in fire science, engineering, or chemistry. For those candidates interested in becoming forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists, a high school diploma or equivalent typically is required.
Training requirements vary by state, but programs usually include instruction in a classroom setting in addition to on-the-job training.
Classroom training often takes place at a fire or police academy over the course of several months. A variety of topics are covered, including guidelines for conducting an inspection or investigation, legal codes, courtroom procedures, protocols for handling hazardous and explosive materials, and the proper use of equipment.
In most agencies, after inspectors and investigators have finished their classroom training, they also receive on-the-job training, during which they work with a more experienced officer.
Employers, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and organizations, such as the National Fire Academy and the International Association of Arson Investigators, offer training programs in fire investigation.
Most fire inspectors and investigators are required to have work experience as a firefighter. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists typically need firefighting experience before being hired.
Many states have certification exams that cover standards established by the National Fire Protection Association. Many states require additional training for inspectors and investigators each year in order for them to maintain their certification.
The National Fire Protection Association also offers several certifications, such as Certified Fire Inspector and Certified Fire Protection Specialist, for fire inspectors. Some jobs in the private sector require that job candidates already have these certifications.
In addition, fire investigators may choose to pursue certification from a nationally recognized professional association. Among such certifications and associations are the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) certification from the International Association of Arson Investigators or the Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) certification from the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). The process of obtaining certification can teach new skills and demonstrate competency.
Communication skills. Fire inspectors must clearly explain fire code violations to building and property managers. They must carefully interview witnesses as part of their factfinding mission.
Critical-thinking skills. Fire inspectors must be able to recognize code violations and recommend a way to fix the problem. They must be able to analyze evidence from a fire and come to a reasonable conclusion.
Detail oriented. Fire inspectors must notice details when inspecting a site for code violations or investigating the cause of a fire.
Physical strength. Fire investigators may have to move debris at the site of a fire in order to get a more accurate understanding of the scene.
Median annual wages, May 2019
The median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $61,660 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,400.
The median annual wage for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists was $45,270 in May 2019. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,090, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $89,710.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for fire inspectors and investigators in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Manufacturing | $80,220 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 63,130 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 60,890 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 60,230 |
In May 2019, the median annual wages for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | $70,920 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 35,390 |
Fire inspectors and investigators typically work during regular business hours, but investigators may also work evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur.
Percent change in employment, projected 2019-29
Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will vary by specialization.
Employment of fire inspectors and investigators is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Fire inspectors will be needed to assess potential fire hazards in newly constructed residential, commercial, public, and other buildings in the coming decade. Fire inspectors will also be needed to ensure that existing buildings meet updated and revised federal, state, and local fire codes each year. Although the number of structural fires occurring across the country has been falling for some time, fire investigators will still be needed to determine the cause of fires and explosions.
Employment of forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 500 new jobs over the 10-year period. Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists are expected to be needed to help prevent and control the increasingly destructive wildfires that the United States has been experiencing.
Jobseekers should expect strong competition for the number of available positions.
Those who have completed some fire science education or who have training related to criminal investigation should have the best job prospects.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2019 | Projected Employment, 2029 | Change, 2019-29 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Fire inspectors |
33-2020 | 16,400 | 17,800 | 8 | 1,400 | Get data | |
Fire inspectors and investigators |
33-2021 | 14,200 | 15,000 | 6 | 800 | Get data | |
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists |
33-2022 | 2,300 | 2,800 | 24 | 500 | Get data | |
For more information about federal fire investigator jobs, visit
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Federal Bureau of Investigation
For more information about fire inspectors’ and investigators’ training, visit
For information about standards for fire inspectors and investigators, visit
National Fire Protection Association
For information about certifications, visit
International Association of Arson Investigators
National Association of Fire Investigators