Fire / Arson Investigator

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.

O*NET definition of Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Fire Inspectors and Investigators (SOC 33-2021) naming each level as required to be hired, 48 respondents, O*NET survey August 2022. Each employer sets its own minimum.

To enter the occupation, fire inspectors typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and work experience as a firefighter or in a related occupation. Once hired, they typically receive on-the-job-training in inspection and investigation. They also may need certification.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Fire Inspectors”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

State government pay plans

Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Fire / Arson Investigator in 8 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.

Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Rates are converted from each plan's pay period; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Sources: 8 official state pay plans, linked in each row.

1. Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.4.9
2. Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.4.8
3. Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.4.8
4. Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.4.7
5. Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.4.6
6. Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.4.6
7. 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.4.6
8. 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.4.6
9. Instruct children about the dangers of fire.4.5
10. Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.4.5

The 10 most important of 22 core tasks for Fire Inspectors and Investigators, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2022.

7,955 fire departments in the registry. Public fire departments with at least one career (paid) firefighter, as registered with the U.S. Fire Administration. The 10 largest by career firefighters:

Full lists by state: