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Career overview · SOC 17-2111

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

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.

Also called: Consulting Engineer · Engineer · Fire Protection Consultant · Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) · Forensic Fire Protection Engineer · Licensed Fire Protection Engineer

Median pay (national)
$109,660
$62,050–$166,670 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
23,220
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.4%
~1,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for fire-prevention and protection engineers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $166,670 versus $62,050 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $109,660 leaves roughly 52% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 46 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $135,810, +24% vs the national median), while Missouri sits lowest at $73,840 — a 84% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Mechanical electrical plumbing MEP design software, Microsoft Excel as in-demand technologies for this role.

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Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Active Learning
  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Advise architects, builders, and other construction personnel on fire prevention equipment and techniques and on fire code and standard interpretation and compliance.
  • Design fire detection equipment, alarm systems, and fire extinguishing devices and systems.
  • Inspect buildings or building designs to determine fire protection system requirements and potential problems in areas such as water supplies, exit locations, and construction materials.
  • Review building plans to verify compliance with fire code.
  • Prepare and write reports detailing specific fire prevention and protection issues, such as work performed, revised codes or standards, and proposed review schedules.
  • Consult with authorities to discuss safety regulations and to recommend changes as necessary.
  • Evaluate fire department performance and the laws and regulations affecting fire prevention or fire safety.
  • Direct the purchase, modification, installation, testing, maintenance, and operation of fire prevention and protection systems.
  • Attend workshops, seminars, or conferences to present or obtain information regarding fire prevention and protection.
  • Determine causes of fires and ways in which they could have been prevented.

Tools & technology

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Mechanical electrical plumbing MEP design software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • A Large Outdoor Fire plume Trajectory model Flat Terrain ALOFT-FT
  • Analysis of Smoke Control Systems ASCOS
  • ANSYS simulation software
  • Atria smoke management engineering tools ASMET
  • Available Safe Egress Time ASET
  • Berkeley Algorithm for Breaking Window Glass in a Compartment Fire BREAK1
  • Building Research Establishment BRE Jasmine
  • CESARE Risk

Knowledge areas

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Building and Construction
  • Design
  • Mathematics
  • Public Safety and Security
  • English Language
  • Physics
  • Chemistry