Electrician
Install, maintain and repair electrical wiring, panels and equipment safely to code.
- $63,190
- 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)
Safety & Environmental career
Fire Alarm Technician
Also called: Fire Alarm Installer · Security Systems Technician · Life Safety Technician · Low Voltage Technician
What fire alarm technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a fire alarm technician do?
Security and fire alarm system installers install, program, test and maintain fire alarm, security, access control and video systems in homes and commercial buildings. The median pay is $60,070 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–12 months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +6.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$60,070$28.88/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+6.8%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year8,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to train6–12 months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs86,300Employment, 2025
What fire alarm technicians do
Fire alarm technicians install and maintain the systems that warn people of fire and protect property. They pull low-voltage wire, mount control panels, smoke and heat detectors, pull stations, horns and strobes, program panels, test systems and troubleshoot faults. Many also work on intrusion alarms, access control and cameras.
Most technicians learn on the job, often starting as installers, and earn NICET certification as they gain experience. Many states require a low-voltage or fire alarm license. Fire codes require regular inspection and testing, so service work is steady.
Typical duties
- Install fire alarm panels, devices and wiring
- Program control panels and communicators
- Test and inspect systems to code
- Troubleshoot faults and ground problems
- Install security, access control and cameras
- Document inspections and repairs
- Coordinate with inspectors and building owners
Work environment and schedule
Technicians work in commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, homes and construction sites. They climb ladders and lifts, work in ceilings and attics and drive between sites.
Schedule: Most work full-time days, with some nights or weekends for testing in occupied buildings and on-call emergency service.
A day in the life
- Load devices and test equipment and review today’s inspection list.
- Perform an annual fire alarm inspection at a school, testing smoke detectors and pull stations.
- Troubleshoot a ground fault in an office building’s panel.
- Pull wire and mount devices on a new construction project.
See a full day in the life of a fire alarm technician →
Fire Alarm Technician salary
Half of fire alarm technicians earned more than $60,070 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,800 for the lowest 10% to $81,150 for the top 10%.
Full fire alarm technician pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a fire alarm technician
- Get basic electrical skills
- Start as an installer
- Learn testing and programming
- Earn NICET Level I and II
- Advance
A high school diploma is typical. Most technicians learn on the job; some take electronics or low-voltage courses. NICET certifications are widely expected for advancement.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a fire alarm technician →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Low-voltage wiring
- Fire alarm panel programming
- NFPA 72 testing
- Troubleshooting
- Blueprint reading
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Problem solving
- Reliability
All fire alarm technician skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Steady, code-required service work
- Entry without a degree
- Technical, problem-solving work
- Growing security and smart-building demand
Cons
- Ladder and ceiling work
- Driving between sites
- Pressure to pass inspections
- On-call service at some companies
Certifications and licenses
- NICET Fire Alarm Systems (Levels I–IV): National certification for fire alarm technicians.
- State fire alarm or low-voltage license: Required in many states.
- ESA Certified Alarm Technician: Electronic Security Association training.
- Manufacturer panel certifications: Training for specific fire alarm panels.
Career path
- Installer: Pull wire and mount devices.
- Fire Alarm Technician: Test, program and service systems.
- Lead Technician or Designer: Design systems and lead projects.
- Service or Operations Manager: Lead service departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Fire Alarm Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as test a smoke detector during an inspection and troubleshoot a ground fault, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Fire Alarm Technician vs. Electrician · Fire Alarm Technician vs. Fire Inspector · Fire Alarm Technician vs. Telecom Technician · Fire Alarm Technician vs. Building Maintenance Tech
Fire Alarm Technician FAQ
Do fire alarm technicians need a license?
Many states require one.
What is NICET?
A national certification program with levels from I to IV.
Is fire alarm work electrical work?
It’s low-voltage electrical work with special codes.
How much does a fire alarm technician make?
The median annual wage for fire alarm technicians was $60,070 ($28.88 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,800 and the highest 10% earned more than $81,150.
How long does it take to become a fire alarm technician?
Most people need about 6–12 months on the job of training. A high school diploma is typical. Most technicians learn on the job; some take electronics or low-voltage courses. NICET certifications are widely expected for advancement.
Do you need a degree to be a fire alarm technician?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More fire alarm technician questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 49-2098 (Security and fire alarm systems installers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Security and fire alarm systems installers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.