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Fire alarm inspector vs protective signal installer

The differences between fire alarm inspectors and protective signal installers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a fire alarm inspector and a protective signal installer. Additionally, a fire alarm inspector has an average salary of $45,136, which is higher than the $38,206 average annual salary of a protective signal installer.

The top three skills for a fire alarm inspector include customer service, ladders and hand tools. The most important skills for a protective signal installer are electrical equipment, traffic signal systems, and .

Fire alarm inspector vs protective signal installer overview

Fire Alarm InspectorProtective Signal Installer
Yearly salary$45,136$38,206
Hourly rate$21.70$18.37
Growth rate6%2%
Number of jobs20,02816,694
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age4444
Years of experience1212

Fire alarm inspector vs protective signal installer salary

Fire alarm inspectors and protective signal installers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fire Alarm InspectorProtective Signal Installer
Average salary$45,136$38,206
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $64,000Between $25,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between fire alarm inspector and protective signal installer education

There are a few differences between a fire alarm inspector and a protective signal installer in terms of educational background:

Fire Alarm InspectorProtective Signal Installer
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 44%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering
Most common college--

Fire alarm inspector vs protective signal installer demographics

Here are the differences between fire alarm inspectors' and protective signal installers' demographics:

Fire Alarm InspectorProtective Signal Installer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 91.9% Female, 8.1%Male, 96.8% Female, 3.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.6% Asian, 4.1% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between fire alarm inspector and protective signal installer duties and responsibilities

Fire alarm inspector example responsibilities.

  • Walk and climb ladders need to safely test fire alarm systems such as smoke detectors, heat detectors and pull stations.
  • Complete NFPA course to obtain certification for fire alarm inspector.
  • Perform inspections on fire alarm, suppression, and range hood systems according to IBC and military specification.
  • Perform work in unusual and sometimes difficult positions; such as climbing ladders, scaffolding, and high lift equipment.
  • Install, service, and update system hardware and firmware to bring fire alarm systems up to NFPA code requirements.
  • Instruct and train individuals on firefighting techniques and life-saving protocols.
  • Show more

Protective signal installer example responsibilities.

  • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
  • Perform routine maintenance such as oil changes, brakes, tires, batteries, etc ....
  • Locate underground utilities, water mains, gas mains, etc using location devices.
  • Test rectifiers for proper installation and operation.
  • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
  • Rout and connect cable lines to switchboard, used of soldering iron.

Fire alarm inspector vs protective signal installer skills

Common fire alarm inspector skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Ladders, 9%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Fire Protection, 9%
  • NICET, 9%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 7%
Common protective signal installer skills
  • Electrical Equipment, 90%
  • Traffic Signal Systems, 10%

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