Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

SOC: 17-2111 O*NET: 17-2111.02
Median Salary
$109,660
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Research causes of fires, determine fire protection methods, and design or recommend materials or equipment such as structural components or fire-detection equipment to assist organizations in safeguarding life and property against fire, explosion, and related hazards.

What does a Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers do?

Research causes of fires, determine fire protection methods, and design or recommend materials or equipment such as structural components or fire-detection equipment to assist organizations in safeguarding life and property against fire, explosion, and related hazards.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$62,050
10th percentile
Early Career
$85,400
25th percentile
Median
$109,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$136,150
75th percentile
Top Earners
$166,670
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$62,050
25th
$85,400
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$109,660
Mean: $113,770
75th
$136,150
90th
$166,670
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $104,620 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $85,400 and $136,150
  • Salary spread is 46.3% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 23,220 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:23,800

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services24.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services24.2%
Manufacturing23.6%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+4.4%
Annual Openings:1,500

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)23,800
Current
2034 (Projected)24,900
+4.4%
+1,100
Employment Change
+4.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 46 locations
Texas
3,180 jobs$123,0201.52x
California
3,010 jobs$125,4101.11x
New York
1,600 jobs$119,0301.11x
Pennsylvania
1,390 jobs$109,6601.54x
Michigan
1,300 jobs$96,9301.96x
Florida
1,080 jobs$99,3400.73x
Oklahoma
800 jobs$99,4903.16x
Washington
590 jobs$121,7301.11x
Massachusetts
580 jobs$131,5001.06x
North Carolina
570 jobs$94,0700.77x
New Jersey
560 jobs$112,3300.88x
Alabama
550 jobs$106,1301.75x
Maryland
500 jobs$106,3101.20x
Wisconsin
480 jobs$84,2501.10x
Georgia
450 jobs$105,4400.62x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Complex Problem Solving
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Systems Analysis
54%
#9
Systems Evaluation
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%

Skills Overview

Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Systems Analysis
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Systems Analysis

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Systems Evaluation

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Monitoring

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Web Administrators100%
5 shared skills
Foresters100%
5 shared skills
Actuaries82%
5 shared skills
Agricultural Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers82%
5 shared skills
Water Resource Specialists82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
Learn on the Job:
  • Systems Analysis
  • Speaking
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

The MathWorks MATLAB

🔥 Hot Tech

Autodesk AutoCAD

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Eclipse IDE

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Visual Basic

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

SAP software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Visio

🔥 Hot Tech

C++

🔥 Hot Tech

Python

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

The MathWorks MATLAB
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Eclipse IDE
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Visio
C++
Python
Microsoft Office software

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
  • Can you meet low physical demands?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Analysis & Evaluation (4)Planning & Development (4)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1

Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform
3

Evaluate product designs for safety.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Planning & Development94% perform
4

Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Communication & Coordination91% perform
5

Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform
6

Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Report or review findings from accident investigations, facilities inspections, or environmental testing.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Evaluate potential health hazards or damage that could occur from product misuse.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform
9

Evaluate adequacy of actions taken to correct health inspection violations.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform
10

Interpret safety regulations for others interested in industrial safety, such as safety engineers, labor representatives, and safety inspectors.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value achievement

RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.58

Analytical Thinking

Very Important

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.42

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.42

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.19

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.15

Initiative

Important

Initiative

Importance Level3.96

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Initiative
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Self-Control
3.7

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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