Projected to grow +10.4% through 2034, Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers is expanding faster than most occupations. Median pay is $60,070, and early movers in a growing field often advance faster.
Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.
Also known as:
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers earn $60,070 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,820 and $73,690. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
The BLS projects +10.4% employment change for Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 9,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Faster than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $60,070 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 10,020 | $49,380 | -17.8% |
| 2 | Florida | 8,050 | $59,570 | -0.8% |
| 3 | California | 7,390 | $66,010 | +9.9% |
| 4 | New York | 4,610 | $66,280 | +10.3% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 2,980 | $59,240 | -1.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 29,904 | — | 635 |
| 2 | Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 7,979 | — | 384 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 2 | Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX | 88 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| 3 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA | 86 | $1,164 | $30,364 |
| 4 | South Florida State College Avon Park, FL | 86 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| 5 | Imperial Valley College Imperial, CA | 86 | $1,115 | $34,487 |
| 6 | Southwest Mississippi Community College Summit, MS | 85 | $2,525 | $33,227 |
Once you've sized up Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
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Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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