Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Also called: Alarm Technician, Fire Alarm Technician (Fire Alarm Tech), Installation Technician, Service TechnicianInstall, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 5 of its 16 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 6.8% by 2035. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.3% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 67% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,710 | $49,340 to $72,020 | 1,350 |
| Alaska | $79,870 | $57,600 to $79,880 | 110 |
| Arizona | $59,680 | $47,060 to $74,760 | 2,040 |
| Arkansas | $48,950 | $38,530 to $61,390 | 620 |
| California | $71,570 | $57,180 to $79,760 | 8,180 |
| Colorado | $62,250 | $49,940 to $77,560 | 1,950 |
| Connecticut | $75,410 | $59,990 to $78,320 | 540 |
| Delaware | $59,680 | $47,880 to $75,670 | 160 |
| District of Columbia | $58,460 | $58,030 to $75,470 | 210 |
| Florida | $60,070 | $48,700 to $62,940 | 8,320 |
| Georgia | $53,100 | $46,460 to $61,580 | 2,220 |
| Guam | $37,450 | $34,340 to $45,730 | 60 |
| Hawaii | $63,140 | $50,730 to $75,120 | 380 |
| Idaho | $49,180 | $39,880 to $61,630 | 340 |
| Illinois | $59,800 | $46,210 to $75,780 | 2,180 |
| Indiana | $58,070 | $48,290 to $64,260 | 1,930 |
| Iowa | $63,750 | $59,820 to $76,070 | 480 |
| Kansas | $61,480 | $51,690 to $71,380 | 740 |
| Kentucky | $60,700 | $47,630 to $63,300 | 1,080 |
| Louisiana | $54,730 | $44,360 to $61,350 | 1,170 |
| Maine | $64,080 | $57,180 to $74,700 | 240 |
| Maryland | $65,330 | $57,950 to $78,930 | 2,230 |
| Massachusetts | $78,530 | $60,720 to $97,800 | 1,690 |
| Michigan | $55,830 | $43,770 to $63,660 | 2,060 |
| Minnesota | $62,440 | $48,610 to $86,000 | 770 |
| Mississippi | $47,160 | $39,010 to $57,550 | 440 |
| Missouri | $54,620 | $49,100 to $63,900 | 1,790 |
| Montana | $58,800 | $50,740 to $74,330 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $48,000 | $46,520 to $62,390 | 490 |
| Nevada | $60,980 | $49,900 to $77,110 | 1,170 |
| New Hampshire | $61,530 | $48,900 to $75,770 | 500 |
| New Jersey | $63,140 | $47,960 to $78,790 | 2,740 |
| New Mexico | $58,350 | $39,210 to $72,480 | 630 |
| New York | $58,550 | $47,180 to $74,550 | 6,620 |
| North Carolina | $54,120 | $45,790 to $63,240 | 2,880 |
| North Dakota | $57,620 | $54,060 to $59,160 | 150 |
| Ohio | $61,860 | $50,620 to $71,460 | 2,440 |
| Oklahoma | $48,240 | $39,660 to $58,920 | 1,340 |
| Oregon | $75,710 | $57,000 to $96,840 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,500 | $47,600 to $72,490 | 2,650 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,280 | $28,260 to $35,380 | 600 |
| Rhode Island | $76,320 | $46,630 to $77,720 | 240 |
| South Carolina | $59,710 | $44,320 to $64,990 | 1,050 |
| South Dakota | $55,690 | $47,900 to $60,150 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $51,460 | $46,360 to $62,780 | 2,520 |
| Texas | $52,270 | $43,740 to $61,870 | 10,260 |
| Utah | $61,150 | $49,850 to $66,810 | 980 |
| Vermont | $60,080 | $48,460 to $73,600 | 110 |
| Virginia | $60,790 | $49,240 to $72,700 | 2,130 |
| Washington | $72,950 | $59,610 to $81,880 | 1,670 |
| West Virginia | $51,100 | $44,060 to $61,760 | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $61,130 | $49,880 to $74,820 | 770 |
| Wyoming | $59,800 | $43,460 to $63,880 | 150 |
Nationally: $60,070. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 5 of its 16 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components. | Not published |
| Not much | Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications. | Not published |
| AI alone | Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms. | 0.03% |
| Not much | Examine systems to locate problems, such as loose connections or broken insulation. | Not published |
| Not much | Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping. | Not published |
| Not much | Test backup batteries, keypad programming, sirens, or other security features to ensure proper functioning or to diagnose malfunctions. | Not published |
See all 16 tasks
| Not much | Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans. | Not published |
| Not much | Drill holes for wiring in wall studs, joists, ceilings, or floors. | Not published |
| Not much | Mount raceways and conduits and fasten wires to wood framing, using staplers. | Not published |
| Not much | Inspect installation sites and study work orders, building plans, and installation manuals to determine materials requirements and installation procedures. | Not published |
| Not much | Adjust sensitivity of units, based on room structures and manufacturers' recommendations, using programming keypads. | Not published |
| AI + software | Keep informed of new products and developments. | Not published |
| Not much | Order replacement parts. | Not published |
| AI + software | Consult with clients to assess risks and to determine security requirements. | Not published |
| AI alone | Prepare documents, such as invoices or warranties. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Provide customers with cost estimates for equipment installation. | under 0.01% |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 3 of the 16 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 16 tasks fall under 16 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #7 Explain technical details of products or services
- #36 Purchase goods or services
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect components or supply lines to equipment or tools | |||
| Repair electrical or electronic equipment | |||
| Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment | |||
| Install commercial or production equipment | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Explain technical details of products or services | |||
| Purchase goods or services | |||
| Plan work activities |
Show all 16 activities
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Test performance of equipment or systems | |||
| Determine resource needs of projects or operations | |||
| Estimate project development or operational costs | |||
| Position tools or equipment | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Drill holes in earth or materials |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An explanation or answer76%
- A chart or visualization4%
- A document or report4%
- An analysis or summary3%
- Advice or a recommendation1%
How they worked with Claude
24% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for security and fire alarm systems installers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 6,522 moves out
- 1 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 7%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 3 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Low +4.2% 5%
- 4 Security Guards Moderate +0.9% 4%
- 5 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 6,219 moves in
- 1 Computer User Support Specialists Very high -3.5% 7%
- 2 Security Guards Moderate +0.9% 5%
- 3 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Low +4.2% 5%
- 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 5 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 41% high school
- 49% postsecondary certificate
- 8% some college
- 2% associate's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 21 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 6% less than high school
- 42% high school
- 26% some college
- 14% associate's
- 11% bachelor's
- 2% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 555 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
2 programs: Electrician and Security System Installation, Repair, and Inspection Technology/Technician.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 3 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (Fire Alarm Inspection Test Maintenance Technician; PROTECTIVE-SIGNAL INSTALLER; SPECIAL HAZARDS FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TECH). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS
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