Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Overview

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers has a national median salary of $60,070 per year, with +6.8% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.

Work Values

• Support
• Relationships
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
• Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components.
• Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms.
• Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications.
• Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping.

Work Activities

• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Working with Computers
• Handling and Moving Objects

Detailed Work Activities

• Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished an associate's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Associate's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers:

Video Resources