# Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

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

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/security-and-fire-alarm-systems-installers
- SOC code: 49-2098.00
- Career family: Installation and repair
- Median annual pay: $60,070 (10th percentile $38,800, 90th percentile $81,150)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.8%
- Openings a year: 8,500
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 95 |
| Investigative (I) | 39 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 6 |
| Enterprising (E) | 10 |
| Conventional (C) | 66 |

## What you'd do

- Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (importance 84/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 82/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 81/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 80/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 78/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 78/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 78/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 77/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 75/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 75/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Installation, Speaking, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Monitoring

## Knowledge

Public Safety and Security, Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service, Telecommunications, Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology, English Language, Mechanical, Education and Training, Mathematics

## Also called

Access Control Technician, Alarm Adjuster, Alarm Installation Tech (Alarm Installation Technician), Alarm Installer, Alarm Service Tech (Alarm Service Technician), Alarm Technician, Burglar Alarm Inspector, Burglar Alarm Installer, Burglar Alarm Mechanic, Control Systems Technician

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Electrical and Power Transmission Installers](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4603) (CIP 4603, 441 colleges)
- [Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4701) (CIP 4701, 301 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Bunker Hill Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bunker-hill-community-college-334) | Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $126,485 | $136,013 | not reported |
| [Western Wyoming Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-wyoming-community-college-3244) | Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | $85,961 | $120,646 | not reported |
| [Alpena Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/alpena-community-college-45) | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $59,252 | $108,690 | $9,564 |
| [Texas State Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/texas-state-technical-college-2708) | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $78,758 | $107,186 | $9,168 |
| [Richmond Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/richmond-community-college-2230) | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $71,836 | $102,948 | not reported |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $85,737 | $93,860 | $5,483 |
| [Minnesota State Community and Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/minnesota-state-community-and-technical-college-1719) | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $63,636 | $90,982 | $12,000 |
| [State Technical College of Missouri](https://www.collegesref.com/college/state-technical-college-of-missouri-2594) | Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | $61,782 | $90,503 | $12,000 |

## Related careers

- [Lighting Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lighting-technicians): $68,060 median pay
- [Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electronic-equipment-installers-and-repairers-motor-vehicles): $48,420 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-installers-and-repairers-transportation-equipment): $84,890 median pay
- [Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/telecommunications-equipment-installers-and-repairers-except-line-installers): $63,890 median pay
- [Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electrical-and-electronics-repairers-commercial-and-industrial-equipment): $74,090 median pay
- [Electricians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/electricians): $63,190 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.