Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
SOC code 17-2111 · O*NET-SOC 17-2111.02 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$115,160
a year
Hourly
$55.36
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$119,770
$57.58 per hour
Middle 50%
$90,930 – $142,980
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$68,420 – $171,250
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
21,450
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $68,420
- $32.89/hr
- 25th percentile
- $90,930
- $43.72/hr
- Median percentile
- $115,160
- $55.36/hr
- 75th percentile
- $142,980
- $68.74/hr
- 90th percentile
- $171,250
- $82.33/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+4%
Growing faster than average
23,800
jobs in 2024
24,900
projected for 2034
About 1,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 85% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree85%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate4%
- Master's Degree4%
Common questions
How much does a fire-prevention and protection engineers earn?
The national median is $115,160 a year. The full range runs from $68,420 at the 10th percentile to $171,250 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a fire-prevention and protection engineers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is fire-prevention and protection engineers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 4% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.9/5
- Building and Construction4.5/5
- Design4.5/5
- Mathematics4.2/5
- Public Safety and Security4.2/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Physics3.9/5
- Chemistry3.7/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation.