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Fire Inspector

What You Need to Know About Fire Inspector

Job Description: Inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations.

Daily Life Of a Fire Inspector

  • Issue permits for public assemblies.
  • 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.
  • Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
  • Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
  • Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
  • Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.

Fire Inspector Required Skills

When polled, Fire Inspectors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Types of Fire Inspector Jobs

  • Deputy Fire Marshal
  • Fire Safety Inspector
  • Fire Sprinkler Foreman
  • Fire Protection Fabricator
  • Fire Hazard Inspector

Job Demand for Fire Inspectors

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,300 jobs in the United States for Fire Inspector. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Fire Inspector by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Fire Inspector are Idaho, Vermont, and Arkansas. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Rhode Island, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Fire Inspector

The typical yearly salary for Fire Inspectors is somewhere between $36,400 and $95,330.

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Fire Inspectors who work in California, Oregon, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Fire Inspectors make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $68,630
Arizona $64,190
Arkansas $44,310
California $103,830
Colorado $74,790
Connecticut $74,280
Delaware $58,820
District of Columbia $75,800
Florida $63,040
Georgia $52,010
Illinois $64,760
Indiana $53,670
Iowa $64,680
Kansas $53,210
Kentucky $43,640
Louisiana $50,990
Maine $54,600
Maryland $64,490
Massachusetts $66,710
Michigan $59,740
Minnesota $68,210
Missouri $44,930
New Hampshire $62,700
New Jersey $55,890
New Mexico $52,010
New York $66,580
North Carolina $52,760
North Dakota $61,850
Ohio $66,650
Oklahoma $68,080
Oregon $89,860
Pennsylvania $56,890
Rhode Island $56,130
South Carolina $53,680
Tennessee $62,660
Texas $63,540
Utah $58,000
Vermont $58,790
Virginia $55,540
Washington $81,430
West Virginia $47,190
Wisconsin $57,460

Tools & Technologies Used by Fire Inspectors

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fire Inspectors:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook

Becoming a Fire Inspector

What education or degrees do I need to become a Fire Inspector?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Fire Inspector?

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Fire Inspector may also be interested in:

Those who work as a Fire Inspector sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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