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Engineering

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$115,160

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$68k – $171k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 2 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $99,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

Plan my path to this →

Typical progression

  1. Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers Intern

    Internship

    $36,000

    ~4 mos to advance

  2. Junior Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

    Entry / Junior

    $68,420

    ~2 yrs to advance

  3. Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

    Established

    $115,160

    ~3 yrs to advance

  4. Senior Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

    Senior

    $143,205

Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.

Key skills

A typical 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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Engineering

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.