Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Fire-prevention and protection engineers research fire causes, develop safety methods, and design fire-detection systems and protective equipment. They work for manufacturing plants, construction firms, insurance companies, government agencies, and consulting firms to help organizations protect buildings, workers, and the public from fire and explosion hazards.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against fire-prevention and protection engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
Work involves analyzing fire incidents and hazard assessments, reviewing building blueprints for code compliance, testing fire suppression systems, and recommending equipment upgrades. Engineers may spend time in offices reviewing data and writing reports, visiting job sites to inspect installations, meeting with clients to discuss safety needs, and collaborating with architects and contractors on building designs.
Who this work suits
Holland code RIC. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You tend to enjoy solving concrete problems through research and analysis, preferring hands-on investigation of how and why things fail. You're drawn to work that combines technical expertise with practical safety outcomes, and you're comfortable pursuing advanced education and building specialized knowledge over several years.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Fire Protection Engineer · Architect of the Capitol · Washington, District of Columbia · $57736–$111087
- Fire Protection Engineer · Department of Energy Headquarters · Washington, District of Columbia · $143913–$187093
- Fire Protection Engineer · United States Army Installation Management Command · Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii · $111119–$144457
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $103,460 | $131,540 | $161,160 | 2,470 |
| Massachusetts | $102,940 | $131,210 | $175,410 | 750 |
| New Hampshire | $84,870 | $130,500 | $152,360 | 80 |
| Ohio | $108,800 | $129,560 | $144,210 | 650 |
| Washington | $106,390 | $126,590 | $162,660 | 420 |
| Texas | $99,020 | $123,440 | $154,600 | 4,320 |
| Pennsylvania | $82,020 | $121,730 | $151,970 | 490 |
| Nevada | $93,950 | $121,660 | $144,070 | 80 |
| Colorado | $99,790 | $120,950 | $159,850 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $95,200 | $120,050 | $143,420 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $97,990 | $119,370 | $139,350 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $82,800 | $118,490 | $139,710 | 370 |
All 45 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) — National Fire Protection Association
- Principles and Practice of Engineering - Fire Protection (PE-FP) — National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying
- Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Layout Level - I — National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
- Fire Protection: Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems - Level II — National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
- Certified Fire Plan Examiner I (CFPE) — National Fire Protection Association
- Product Safety Engineer — Exemplar Global
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against fire-prevention and protection engineers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 17-2111.02 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.