Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair · SOC 49-2098 · O*NET 49-2098.00
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers fall under the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category in the U.S. occupational classification. Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers earn a median salary of $60,070 per year, ranking in the top 52% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +6.8% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do security and fire alarm systems installers earn?
The median annual wage for security and fire alarm systems installers is $60,070. That puts security and fire alarm systems installers at #428 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is security and fire alarm systems installers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for security and fire alarm systems installers is +6.8%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 86K positions in 2024 to 92K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What education does my child need to become security and fire alarm systems installer?
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
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How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about security and fire alarm systems installers
What is the median salary for security and fire alarm systems installers?
The median annual salary for security and fire alarm systems installers is $60,070 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is security and fire alarm systems installers a growing career?
BLS projects +6.8% growth for security and fire alarm systems installers from 2025 through 2035, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become security and fire alarm systems installer?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to security and fire alarm systems installers?
Related occupations within the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.