Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Machines can already do 34% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 64%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 34% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 64% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 21,450 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $115,160 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 69% for contact with people.
- Also called: Consulting Engineer, Engineer, Fire Protection Consultant, Fire Protection Engineer (FPE).
- Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design fire detection equipment, alarm systems, and fire extinguishing devices and systems | 16% | 35% to 65% | |
| Advise architects, builders, and other construction personnel on fire prevention equipment and techniques and on fire code and standard interpretation and compliance | 15% | 35% to 65% | |
| Inspect buildings or building designs to determine fire protection system requirements and potential problems in areas such as water supplies, exit locations, and construction materials | 14% | 3% to 30% | |
| Prepare and write reports detailing specific fire prevention and protection issues, such as work performed, revised codes or standards, and proposed review schedules | 12% | 70% to 95% | |
| Review building plans to verify compliance with fire code | 11% | 47% to 83% | |
| Consult with authorities to discuss safety regulations and to recommend changes as necessary | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Direct the purchase, modification, installation, testing, maintenance, and operation of fire prevention and protection systems | 7% | 15% to 38% | |
| Develop plans for the prevention of destruction by fire, wind, and water | 6% | 40% to 75% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills fire-prevention and protection engineers use most, most used first.
Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace
How much fire-prevention and protection engineers rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.
- Go-to problem solver9/10
- Trust and reliability8/10
- Know-how about the organisation5/10
- Network and relationships6/10
- Mentoring and developing others6/10
- Culture and morale5/10
- Initiative beyond the role7/10
- Calm in a crisis6/10
- Bridge between teams5/10
- Reputation and influence5/10
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,870
- Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar57% of tasks by 2035 · US median $122,930
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,190
- Architectural and Engineering Managers50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $171,270
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of fire-prevention and protection engineers?
Machines can do 34% of the tasks of fire-prevention and protection engineers today and 64% 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 17-2111.02 (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, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/fire-prevention-and-protection-engineers/