Government & Public SafetyCompare

Fire Inspector

O*NET: Fire Inspectors and Investigators·33-2021.00

The Verdict:Fire inspectors enter real buildings and fire scenes to check wiring, exits, and hazards, collecting physical evidence like fragments and residues. Variable, dangerous environments demand human navigation no robot matches. AI helps with reports and plan reviews, but code enforcement and investigations remain human essentials. Demand grows with urbanization.

Resilience Score

/100

Highly Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$78k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+3.8%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 0 of 30 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
21 of 30 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 30% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

0exposed

9AI leverage

21human-essential

View all 30 tasks

AI Can Handle This0 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

No exposed tasks identified

AI Leverage9 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.

Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.

Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.

Develop or review fire exit plans.

Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.

Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.

Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.

Issue permits for public assemblies.

Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs, such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.

Human Advantage21 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.

Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.

Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.

Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.

Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.

Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.

Instruct children about the dangers of fire.

Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.

Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.

Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.

Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.

Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.

Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.

Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.

Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.

Subpoena and interview witnesses, property owners, and building occupants to obtain information and sworn testimony.

Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.

Test sites and materials to establish facts, such as burn patterns and flash points of materials, using test equipment.

Dust evidence or portions of fire scenes for latent fingerprints.

Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible.

Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.

Resilience Landscape

Fire Inspector lands in Stable & Well-Paid

Compare with another role Explore all roles