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The differences between alarm technicians and fire alarm inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an alarm technician and a fire alarm inspector. Additionally, a fire alarm inspector has an average salary of $45,136, which is higher than the $42,630 average annual salary of an alarm technician.
The top three skills for an alarm technician include fire protection, work ethic and NFPA. The most important skills for a fire alarm inspector are customer service, ladders, and hand tools.
An alarm technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots security alarms that are used in a company or establishment. Security alarms serve to deter to thievery and break-ins. An alarm technician is responsible for ensuring that installed security alarms will always work as expected. This position requires experience as an electrician, knowledge of the common types of alarm systems, and a keen grasp of security practices.
Fire alarm inspectors are professionals who are responsible for inspecting the alarm systems of a residential or commercial building to ensure that the systems are working and following the local, state, and federal fire safety regulations. These inspectors are required to configure fire alarm systems and automatic sprinklers for proper operation. By using AutoCAD, fire alarm inspectors are required to help in designing and creating the layout for the new fire alarm systems. They must also provide excellent customer service by accommodating the needs of customers using negotiation strategies.
Alarm technicians and fire alarm inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Alarm Technician | Fire Alarm Inspector | |
| Average salary | $42,630 | $45,136 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $57,000 | Between $31,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fort Wayne, IN | - |
| Highest paying state | Indiana | - |
| Best paying company | EMCOR Group | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an alarm technician and a fire alarm inspector in terms of educational background:
| Alarm Technician | Fire Alarm Inspector | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 33% | Associate Degree, 44% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between alarm technicians' and fire alarm inspectors' demographics:
| Alarm Technician | Fire Alarm Inspector | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 4.3% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |