Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Machines can already do 24% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 46%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Fire Inspectors and Investigators in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 24% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 46% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 13,800 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $75,920 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 88% for contact with people.
- Also called: Arson Investigator, Fire Code Inspector, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 18% | 3% to 25% | |
| Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered | 11% | 63% to 81% | |
| Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found | 6% | 3% to 25% | |
| Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| 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 | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| 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 | 5% | 36% to 66% | |
| 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 | 5% | 3% to 25% | |
| Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes | 5% | 45% to 72% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills fire inspectors and investigators use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $93,530
- Animal Control Workers44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,660
- Animal Trainers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $39,990
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists43% of tasks by 2035 · US median $76,580
What should you do about it?
Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.
Watch This Job
Get told when the outlook for this job changes.
Free planSkills to learn next
The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.
In the StarburstCheck your readiness
Ten quick questions on how ready you are.
FreeAsk Vantage
Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.
Free to askFutures Academy courses
Courses matched to your gaps.
Coming soonPay trend
Where pay for this job is heading.
Coming soonTeam plan
Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.
Pro and CorporateShared workspace
Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.
Pro and Corporate
Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Fire Inspectors and Investigators?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of fire inspectors and investigators?
Machines can do 24% of the tasks of fire inspectors and investigators today and 46% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 33-2021.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Fire Inspectors and Investigators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/fire-inspectors-and-investigators/