Best institutions to study Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician
A program focusing on the application of fire science and technology to problems of reducing fire risk, limiting loss, supervising substance removal, conducting safety inspections and investigations, and advising on matters of safety procedures and fire prevention policy.
140 U.S. institutions graduated 3,558 Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 43.0201, a specialization of Fire Protection (CIP 43.02), and leads most directly to the Fire Inspectors and Investigators occupation (BLS SOC 33-2021).
About Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician programs
A program focusing on the application of fire science and technology to problems of reducing fire risk, limiting loss, supervising substance removal, conducting safety inspections and investigations, and advising on matters of safety procedures and fire prevention policy. Includes instruction in fire behavior, fire simulation, structural risk assessment, materials analysis, detection and suppression systems, smoke management, supply and evacuation, public education, legal aspects of fire prevention, and related research and communications methods.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician program prepares students to address fire risks and enhance safety measures within various environments. This program is ideal for individuals interested in careers related to fire protection, safety inspections, and fire prevention policies. Students will gain practical knowledge applicable to real-world scenarios in the field of fire safety.
Students in this program will learn about fire behavior, risk assessment, detection and suppression systems, and legal aspects of fire prevention. Coursework emphasizes critical skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, which are essential for success in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree1,664 graduates / yr · 122 institutions47%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,372 graduates / yr · 61 institutions39%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years429 graduates / yr · 34 institutions12%
- Bachelor's degree52 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks40 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,440 |
| 2013 | 3,997 |
| 2014 | 3,746 |
| 2015 | 4,922 |
| 2016 | 4,089 |
| 2017 | 3,854 |
| 2018 | 9,241 |
| 2019 | 3,854 |
| 2020 | 3,769 |
| 2021 | 3,891 |
| 2022 | 3,861 |
| 2023 | 3,313 |
| 2024 | 3,350 |
| 2025 | 3,558 |
Top 50 institutions for Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 509 | 31% | — | $46,660 |
| 2 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 181 | 25% | — | — |
| 3 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 140 | 26% | — | — |
| 4 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 116 | 40% | — | — |
| 5 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 105 | 45% | — | — |
| 6 | Palomar College San Marcos, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 99 | 38% | — | — |
| 7 | Columbia College Sonora, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 94 | 27% | — | — |
| 8 | Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 74 | 34% | — | — |
| 9 | Sierra College Rocklin, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 73 | 42% | — | — |
| 10 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 67 | 62% | — | — |
| 11 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 30% | — | — |
| 12 | Oxnard College Oxnard, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 63 | 34% | — | — |
| 13 | El Camino Community College District Torrance, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 42% | — | — |
| 14 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 58 | 26% | — | — |
| 15 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 57 | 48% | — | $45,657 |
| 16 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 21% | — | — |
| 17 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 54 | 45% | — | — |
| 18 | Los Medanos College Pittsburg, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 51 | 41% | — | — |
| 19 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 47 | 36% | — | — |
| 20 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 48% | — | — |
| 21 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 45 | 20% | — | $47,024 |
| 22 | Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 44 | 34% | — | $48,321 |
| 23 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 43 | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | North Shore Community College Danvers, MAPublicAssociate's | 38 | 18% | — | $90,948 |
| 25 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NVPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 32% | — | — |
| 26 | Lake Superior College Duluth, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 33 | 42% | — | — |
| 27 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 33 | 24% | — | — |
| 28 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 32 | 63% | $32,614 | $57,392 |
| 29 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 31 | 53% | — | — |
| 30 | College of the Mainland Texas City, TXPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate's | 31 | 31% | — | — |
| 31 | Modesto Junior College Modesto, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 29 | 30% | — | $50,364 |
| 32 | Las Positas College Livermore, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 53% | — | — |
| 33 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | 34% | — | — |
| 34 | College of San Mateo San Mateo, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 61% | — | — |
| 35 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KYPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 50% | — | $66,617 |
| 36 | Rowan - Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 35% | — | — |
| 37 | Gavilan College Gilroy, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 42% | — | — |
| 38 | Lassen Community College Susanville, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 24 | 31% | — | — |
| 39 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FLPublicAssociate's | 24 | 45% | — | $47,206 |
| 40 | Rogue Community College Grants Pass, ORPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 9% | — | — |
| 41 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAssociate's | 22 | 45% | — | — |
| 42 | Mission College Santa Clara, CAPublicAssociate's | 22 | 39% | — | — |
| 43 | Solano Community College Fairfield, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 22 | 36% | — | — |
| 44 | Tyler Junior College Tyler, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 22 | 27% | — | — |
| 45 | Chabot College Hayward, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 47% | — | — |
| 46 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 37% | — | — |
| 47 | Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 49% | — | — |
| 48 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 20 | 24% | — | — |
| 49 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 32% | — | — |
| 50 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAssociate's | 20 | 40% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Fire Protection field (CIP 43.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 24 states
Where Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Fire Protection programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 33-2021, Fire Inspectors and Investigators, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Fire Inspectors and Investigators, with an annual job outlook of approximately 1,500 openings and a median wage of $78,060. The job growth rate in this field is projected to be about 3.8%, indicating a stable demand for qualified professionals.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 43.0201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fire Inspectors and Investigatorsprimary SOC 33-2021 | $75,920 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~1,500 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Firefighters SOC 33-2011 | $59,280 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~27,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers SOC 33-1021 | $93,530 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~6,500 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
Tools and technology used
Other Fire Protection specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Fire Protection (CIP 43.02).
- Fire Science/CIP 43.0203
Fire-fighting 10,359 graduates / yr275 institutions - Fire Services AdministrationCIP 43.02022,008 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Wildland/CIP 43.0206
Forest Firefighting and Investigation 174 graduates / yr17 institutions - Fire Systems TechnologyCIP 43.0204partial data59 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Fire ProtectionCIP 43.0299partial data54 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Fire/CIP 43.0205
Arson Investigation and Prevention partial data47 graduates / yr5 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a less than 1 academic year award, or a 1 to 2 academic years award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Fire Inspector, Investigator, or in related firefighting roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about 3.8% growth with approximately 1,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician?+
Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician is CIP 43.0201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Fire Protection (CIP 43.02). NCES defines it as: A program focusing on the application of fire science and technology to problems of reducing fire risk, limiting loss, supervising substance removal, conducting safety inspections and investigations, and advising on matters of safety procedures and fire prevention policy. Includes instruction in fire behavior, fire simulation, structural risk assessment, materials analysis, detection and suppression systems, smoke management, supply and evacuation, public education, legal aspects of fire prevention, and related research and communications methods.
How many institutions offer Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician programs?+
140 U.S. institutions reported Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states, awarding 3,558 credentials in the year. That is 21.9% of all Fire Protection graduates.
How much do Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Fire Inspectors and Investigators occupation, which Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $75,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fire Protection field report median earnings of $50,331 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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