Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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. PayThe median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $75,920 in May 2025.The median annual wage for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists was $56,870 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,900 openings for fire inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fire inspectors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fire inspectors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $75,920 in May 2025.The median annual wage for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists was $56,870 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,900 openings for fire inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fire inspectors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fire inspectors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,900 openings for fire inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fire inspectors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fire inspectors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations, and investigate causes of fires.
Work Environment
Fire inspectors work in office settings and onsite, including outdoors. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Their schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur.
How to Become a Fire Inspector
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $75,920 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists was $56,870 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,900 openings for fire inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fire inspectors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fire inspectors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Fire inspectors work in office settings and onsite, including outdoors. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Their schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays because they must be ready to respond when fires occur.
How to Become a Fire Inspector
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.
Pay
The median annual wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $75,920 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists was $56,870 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of fire inspectors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 1,900 openings for fire inspectors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fire inspectors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fire inspectors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fire inspectors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fire inspectors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about fire inspectors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.