Details Report for:
33-2021.02 - Fire Investigators
Conduct investigations to determine causes of fires and explosions.
Sample of reported job titles: Arson Division Chief, Arson Investigator, Canine Handler (K9 Handler), Fire and Explosion Investigator, Fire Investigator, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, Investigator, Lieutenant, State Fire Marshal
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Category | Task |
---|---|---|
97 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
96 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
94 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
91 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
90 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
90 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
88 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
82 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
76 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
91 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
85 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
84 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
78 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
75 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Analytical or scientific software — Consolidated Model of Fire and Smoke Transport CFAST; Fire Dynamics Software FDS
- Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access
; National Fire Incident Reporting System NFIRS
- Electronic mail software — Email software
- Human resources software — Xerox Government systems FIREHOUSE Software
- Internet browser software — Web browser software
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Adjustable wrenches — Adjustable hand wrenches
- Anemometers — Digital anemometers
- Ball peen hammer — Ball peen hammers
- Barometers — Digital barometers
- Bolt cutters
- Box end wrenches
- Bullet proof vests — Ballistic vests
- Camera flashes or lighting — Camera flash attachments
- Camera lens — Camera lenses
- Camera tripods — Camera positioning tripods
- Circuit tester — Circuit continuity testers
- Claw hammer — Claw hammers
- Cold chisels — Flat cold chisels
- Digital camcorders or video cameras — Digital video cameras
- Digital voice recorders — Digital audio recorders
- Direction finding compasses — Magnetic compasses
- Dosing droppers — Eye droppers
- Ear muffs — Protective ear muffs
- Emergency medical services first aid kits — Emergency first aid kits
- End cut pliers — Side-cutting pliers
- Fingerprint equipment — Fingerprint kits
- Fire extinguishers — Portable fire extinguishers
- Fire suppression hand tools — Fire rakes
- Flashlight — High powered flashlights
- Flood light — Flood lighting
- Forestry saws — Crosscut saws
- Fuse pullers — Fuse pulling tools
- Gas chromatographs
- Gas detectors — Multigas detectors; Photoionization detectors
- Gas generators — Gasoline powered generators
- GFI circuit testers — Ground fault testers
- Hacksaw — Hacksaws
- Handcuffs — Metal handcuffs
- Handguns — Law enforcement handguns
- Handheld thermometer — Dry bulb thermometers
- Hatchets — Fire axes
- Hoes
- Hydrocarbons analyzers or detectors — Catalytic combustion detectors CCD; Hydrocarbon detectors
- Laboratory forceps — Evidence collection forceps
- Ladders — Stepladders
- Laser fax machine — Laser facsimile machines
- Levels — Bar levels; Torpedo levels
- Lightmeters — Photographic meters
- Linemans pliers — Linesman's pliers
- Locking pliers — Vise grip pliers
- Magnetic tools — Pencil magnets
- Magnifying glass — Magnifiers
- Masks or accessories — Dust masks
- Mobile phones — Smart phones
- Notebook computers — Laptop computers
- Pad or keyhole saw — Keyhole saws
- Personal computers
- Pipe or tube cutter — Universal pipe cutters
- Pipe wrenches — Adjustable pipe wrenches
- Plumb bobs — Laser plumb bobs
- Pocket knives
- Power drills — Cordless drills
- Protective coats — Firefighters' coats
- Protective pants — Firefighters' pants
- Pry bars — Crowbars; Pinch bars
- Psychrometers — Wet bulb thermometers
- Putty knives
- Rakes — Steel-tine garden rakes
- Rangefinders — Laser rangefinders
- Razor knives — Pen knives
- Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories — Self-contained breathing apparatus
- Respirators — Filter mask respirators
- Rulers — Photographic rulers; Precision rulers
- Safety glasses — Protective eyewear
- Safety helmets — Fire helmets
- Safety hoods — Firefighting hoods
- Screwdrivers — Bit drivers; Phillips screwdrivers; Straight blade screwdrivers
- Shears — Carpet cutters
- Shovels — Flathead shovels
- Single gas monitors — Single gas detectors
- Sledge hammer — Sledgehammers
- Slip or groove joint pliers — Slip-lock pliers
- Specialty wrenches — Hydrant wrenches
- Spectrophotometers — Portable spectroscopes
- Still cameras — 35 millimeter cameras
- Sump pumps — Portable sump pumps
- Tablet computers — Portable computers
- Tape measures — Steel tape measures
- Tinners snips — Tin snips
- Trowels — Masonry trowels
- Tweezers — Evidence tweezers
- Two way radios — Mobile radios
- Ultraviolet UV lamps — Ultraviolet UV lights
- Utility knives — Multipurpose knives
- Voltage or current meters — Voltage indicators
- Wire cutters — Wire cutting tools
- Wire gauge — Wire gauges
- Wire-stripping pliers — Wire strippers
- Wood chisels
- X ray radiography examination equipment — X ray inspection equipment
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Knowledge |
|
---|---|---|
91 ![]() ![]() |
||
90 ![]() ![]() |
||
86 ![]() ![]() |
||
85 ![]() ![]() |
||
84 ![]() ![]() |
||
71 ![]() ![]() |
||
70 ![]() ![]() |
||
64 ![]() ![]() |
||
62 ![]() ![]() |
||
60 ![]() ![]() |
||
60 ![]() ![]() |
||
59 ![]() ![]() |
||
59 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
55 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
47 ![]() ![]() |
||
47 ![]() ![]() |
||
46 ![]() ![]() |
||
44 ![]() ![]() |
||
43 ![]() ![]() |
||
40 ![]() ![]() |
||
38 ![]() ![]() |
||
37 ![]() ![]() |
||
29 ![]() ![]() |
||
28 ![]() ![]() |
||
24 ![]() ![]() |
||
23 ![]() ![]() |
||
21 ![]() ![]() |
||
20 ![]() ![]() |
||
16 ![]() ![]() |
||
15 ![]() ![]() |
||
1 ![]() ![]() |
Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Skill |
|
---|---|---|
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
75 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
69 ![]() ![]() |
||
66 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
60 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
53 ![]() ![]() |
||
50 ![]() ![]() |
||
47 ![]() ![]() |
||
47 ![]() ![]() |
||
44 ![]() ![]() |
||
44 ![]() ![]() |
||
41 ![]() ![]() |
||
35 ![]() ![]() |
||
31 ![]() ![]() |
||
25 ![]() ![]() |
||
25 ![]() ![]() |
||
25 ![]() ![]() |
||
22 ![]() ![]() |
||
19 ![]() ![]() |
||
19 ![]() ![]() |
||
16 ![]() ![]() |
||
16 ![]() ![]() |
||
10 ![]() ![]() |
||
10 ![]() ![]() |
||
3 ![]() ![]() |
||
0 ![]() |
Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Activity |
|
---|---|---|
99 ![]() ![]() |
||
98 ![]() ![]() |
||
97 ![]() ![]() |
||
95 ![]() ![]() |
||
95 ![]() ![]() |
||
94 ![]() ![]() |
||
93 ![]() ![]() |
||
92 ![]() ![]() |
||
92 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
87 ![]() ![]() |
||
85 ![]() ![]() |
||
85 ![]() ![]() |
||
81 ![]() ![]() |
||
80 ![]() ![]() |
||
79 ![]() ![]() |
||
76 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
74 ![]() ![]() |
||
72 ![]() ![]() |
||
71 ![]() ![]() |
||
69 ![]() ![]() |
||
69 ![]() ![]() |
||
67 ![]() ![]() |
||
67 ![]() ![]() |
||
66 ![]() ![]() |
||
64 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
63 ![]() ![]() |
||
62 ![]() ![]() |
||
62 ![]() ![]() |
||
59 ![]() ![]() |
||
59 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
56 ![]() ![]() |
||
54 ![]() ![]() |
||
54 ![]() ![]() |
||
42 ![]() ![]() |
||
39 ![]() ![]() |
Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Prepare investigation or incident reports.
- Record information about suspects or criminals.
- Testify at legal or legislative proceedings.
- Process forensic or legal evidence in accordance with procedures.
- Analyze crime scene evidence.
- Interview people to gather information about criminal activities.
- Examine debris to obtain information about causes of fires.
- Record crime or accident scene evidence with video or still cameras.
- Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.
- Investigate crimes committed within organizations.
- Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.
- Examine crime scenes to obtain evidence.
- Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.
- Train personnel to enhance job skills.
- Apprehend criminal suspects.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
Education | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
Related Experience | Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
Job Training | Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
Job Zone Examples | These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants. |
SVP Range | (6.0 to < 7.0) |
Education
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
---|---|---|
83 ![]() ![]() |
||
83 ![]() ![]() |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. ![]() |
|
61 ![]() ![]() |
||
45 ![]() ![]() |
||
39 ![]() ![]() |
||
6 ![]() ![]() |
Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Style |
|
---|---|---|
100 ![]() ![]() |
||
90 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
||
88 ![]() ![]() |
||
88 ![]() ![]() |
||
86 ![]() ![]() |
||
84 ![]() ![]() |
||
83 ![]() ![]() |
||
82 ![]() ![]() |
||
80 ![]() ![]() |
||
78 ![]() ![]() |
||
69 ![]() ![]() |
||
67 ![]() ![]() |
||
57 ![]() ![]() |
Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
29-2041.00 | Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics ![]() |
29-9012.00 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians ![]() ![]() |
33-1021.01 | Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors |
33-2021.01 | Fire Inspectors |
33-3021.01 | Police Detectives |
33-3021.02 | Police Identification and Records Officers |
33-3021.03 | Criminal Investigators and Special Agents |
33-3051.01 | Police Patrol Officers |
33-3051.03 | Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs |
47-4011.00 | Construction and Building Inspectors ![]() ![]() |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages data collected from Fire Inspectors and Investigators.
Employment data collected from Fire Inspectors and Investigators.
Industry data collected from Fire Inspectors and Investigators.
Median wages (2018) | $30.05 hourly, $62,510 annual |
State wages | ![]() |
Employment (2018) | 13,000 employees |
Projected growth (2018-2028) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2018-2028) | 1,300 |
State trends | ![]() |
Top industries (2018) | Government (86% employed in this sector)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018 wage data
and 2018-2028 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018-2028). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Fraternal Order of Police
- IAFF FireFighters
- International Association of Arson Investigators
- International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- National Association of Fire Investigators
- National Fire Protection Association
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Fire inspectors