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Fire Inspector

What Do Fire Inspector Do?

Example of Fire Inspector Job Inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations.

Fire Inspector Responsibilities

  • Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
  • 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.
  • Serve court appearance summonses or condemnation notices on parties responsible for violations of fire codes, laws, and ordinances.
  • Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
  • Inspect liquefied petroleum installations, storage containers, and transportation and delivery systems for compliance with fire laws.
  • Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.

Skills Needed to be a Fire Inspector

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

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.

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

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.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Fire Extinguisher Inspector
  • Fire Equipment Inspector
  • Code Official
  • Inspector
  • Fire Systems Inspector

Is There Going to be Demand for Fire Inspectors?

In the United States, there were 12,300 jobs for Fire Inspector in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 1,400 positions for Fire Inspector per 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.

Fire Inspector Average Salary

Fire Inspectors make between $36,400 and $95,330 a year.

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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 different U.S. states?

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

What Tools do Fire Inspectors Use?

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

How to Become a Fire Inspector

Individuals working as a Fire Inspector have obtained the following education levels:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Fire Inspectors Sector

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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

Are you already one of the many Fire Inspector in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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