Becoming a Fire Investigator – Education, Certification & Salary

A fire investigator studies a fire to determine who or what started it to determine whether a fire was an accident or arson. To accomplish this goal, the investigator will collect and analyze evidence, talk to witnesses, and attempt to reconstruct the events leading up to the fire.

The investigator often works for either a fire department or for law enforcement at the local or state level. Some investigators work for private companies, including insurance agencies. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2023, most fire inspectors and investigators were employed by the local government, at 71 percent.

A fire investigator has many responsibilities, including the analysis of collected evidence from the scene of a fire, reconstruction of the scene, and collaboration with other types of specialists, such as engineers and attorneys. Additionally, arson investigators may be called to testify at trials.

The investigation career is well-suited to those fascinated by the investigatory process, who are highly analytical and able to work with and communicate well with other professionals. Employment as an arson investigator could be a great career move for those looking for an exciting job opportunity.

Read on to learn what it takes to become a fire investigator, including educational requirements, certification, and average salaries.

Meet the Expert Scott Kuhlman, IAAI-CFI, IAAI-ECT, IAAI-CI, NAFI-CFEI, NAFI-CFII

Scott Kuhlman is a certified fire investigator with over 26 years of experience conducting over 2,500 origin-and-cause investigations. He has 30 years of experience as a firefighter, including serving as a fire captain/investigator with the Orange County Fire Authority. He has experience in various fire settings, including residential, commercial, and wildland.

Kuhlman has also worked with insurance companies on fire investigations. He is involved in fire investigation training, including curriculum development and instruction. He currently holds leadership positions with the California Conference of Arson Investigators and instructs at multiple colleges. He is also the co-host of Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast.

ForensicsColleges.com: What is something you wish the public understood about arson investigators?

Kuhlman: First off, arson investigator is an incorrect statement. We’re fire investigators. We investigate all fires, and if it happens to be an intentionally set fire, we will continue to move forward in the investigation to determine who was responsible for intentionally setting the fire. For anyone who is found guilty, the charge would be arson.

As fire investigators, we’re in a unique spot because we’re both the forensic specialist and the detective. We apply the scientific method, and we aren’t looking for who set the fire or if they set a fire. You’re letting forensics tell you what’s going on.

ForensicsColleges.com: What advice would you give to aspiring arson investigation students?

Kuhlman: You have to like mysteries. If you have a flair or interest in true crime, and you have that drive to use research and science to help solve that crime or mystery, then this is the job for you.

You can choose between working on the public or private side of fire investigations. On the public side, you typically need to be a firefighter or part of the fire department, often starting as a captain, and going through specialized training programs to become a certified fire investigator. The goal is to obtain the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) credential, which can take around 4 years. The private sector allows more flexibility, as individuals from non-fire service backgrounds can enter the field by earning a bachelor’s degree in fire investigation. However, the private sector, especially insurance companies, still prefers candidates to hold the CFI certification to demonstrate their qualifications and expertise.

Career Outlook for Fire Investigators

Fire investigation careers, which the BLS categorizes alongside fire inspectors and investigators, is expected to grow 6 percent between 2023 and 2033. This is on par with the average growth rate of all occupations, which stands at 4 percent for the same period (BLS 2023).

In 2023, there were 17,300 jobs for fire inspectors and fire investigators. By 2030, the BLS believes that the job number will increase to 18,300, an addition of 1,100 jobs. The competition for jobs in this field is high, so it is essential for those considering a career as a fire investigator to look at methods that could help improve their chances of landing a job in the field after training. To gain an advantage over other applicants, having fire suppression training or training in criminal investigation and related fields could be a boon.

Two professional organizations support the field of fire investigation. The National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) includes qualified fire and explosion investigators in an international registry. In addition, NAFI offers the only certification based directly on the scientific principles of NFPA 921. This is a standard set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and used by public sector employees and private sector professionals to determine the cause of a fire.

The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is an international professional organization dedicated to suppressing arson crimes. This organization offers career resources such as certification, educational program credentialing, professional development, a scholarly journal, a membership directory for professional networking, and job listings. The IAAI has more than 10,000 members in more than 70 chapter organizations worldwide.

Fire Investigator Salary Data – How Much Do Fire Investigators Make?

Fire investigators earn salaries well above the national average for all occupations, currently at $65,470 (BLS May 2023). According to the BLS (May 2023), the median wage for fire inspectors and investigators was $82,510, which is more than the national average. Those in the lowest 10 percent were earning $46.360 or less annually, while those in the top 10 percent of earners were bringing home $137,220 or more per year. As with most occupations, the salary for fire investigators can depend mainly on experience, performance, location, organization, and specialization.

The shifts that an investigator works can affect salaries as well. It is common for a fire investigator to work on holidays, weekends, and evenings, and it is not unheard of for an investigator to work a 24-hour shift now and again. Overtime work can mean bonus pay in some cases.

PayScale (2025), an aggregator of self-reported salary data, shows similar annual salaries for fire inspectors. As of February 2025, fire inspectors earn $72,036 per year, slightly lower than the BLS data. The lowest 10 percent earn $51,000, and the highest 10 percent earn $118,000 based on 51 salaries. In addition, some positions include bonuses of up to $5,000. These salaries vary based on years of experience and levels of education.

According to the BLS (May 2023), the top five top-paying states for fire inspectors and investigators are:

• Washington: $107,490
• Oregon: $99,420
• California: $98,480
• Ohio: $96,120
• Iowa: $91,270

How to Become a Fire Investigator

Unlike some professions, There is no single path to becoming a fire investigator. However, the following is one of the most common ways that people do pursue this particular career:

Step 1: Earn a high school diploma (four years): While no legal requirements require specialized education for fire investigators, a high school diploma is highly recommended to join this competitive field. In fact, according to CareerOneStop (2022), 96 percent of fire investigators have at least a high school diploma.

Step 2: Gain experience in law enforcement or with the fire department (timeline varies): Because most fire investigators work for local government, either law enforcement or the fire department, gaining experience in one of these agencies will be critical. On-the-job training is quite common for fire investigators, so obtaining a position working with an experienced fire investigator is ideal.

Those pursuing this career should also be prepared to undergo the standard law enforcement or fire department training, such as the police academy. CareerOneStop (2025) shows the majority of fire inspectors and investigators have at least some college (30 percent), an associate’s degree (17 percent), or a bachelor’s degree (22 percent).

Step 3: Obtain specialized training (timeline varies): While on-the-job training is typical, many fire investigators also pursue specialized training outside work hours. For example, those who want to become Certified Fire Investigators (CFIs) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) must undergo that organization’s two-year training program.

The ATF program includes six weeks of classroom work and 100 fire scene investigations under the supervision of an ATF mentor. For those outside the ATF, prospective fire investigators may pursue less rigorous training, such as the seminars offered by the Public Agency Training Council.

Step 4: Pursue professional certification (timeline varies): After gaining some experience and education, fire investigators may pursue professional certification, which is listed further down on this page.

The two leading certification agencies in this field are the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), which offers the Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) credential, and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), which offers the Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) credential.

From the steps above, it is clear that the pathways to becoming a fire investigator can vary quite a bit based on education and length of experience.

Investigator Education and Experience Requirements

As mentioned above, at minimum, a fire investigator must have a high school diploma and experience working with law enforcement or the fire department. Approximately 75 percent of fire investigators have attended college or earned a degree, according to CareerOneStop (2025):

• Some college, no degree: 30 percent
• Associate’s degree: 16 percent
• Bachelor’s degree: 22 percent
• Master’s degree: 4 percent
• Doctoral or professional degree: 1 percent

After completing their academic education, those interested in fire investigation can attend specialized academies and classes to supplement the on-the-job training. In some cases, a law enforcement organization or a fire department will require that someone who becomes an investigator have a minimum number of years of experience in fire suppression or law enforcement or have achieved a certain rank within the organization.

The training in this field varies based on the state. The programs will likely consist of classroom training as well as on-the-job training. Investigators working in the private sector will also need to have a private investigator license in most states.

Some of the skills prospective investigators often demonstrate great attention to detail and the ability to think critically. Clear communication skills are also essential. The ability to analyze evidence and find the cause of the fire based on that evidence is vital to an investigator’s success in this field.

Fire Investigator Tasks and Responsibilities

Anyone considering a career in fire investigation is likely curious to know what the day-to-day experience of this career looks like. As with any job in law enforcement or the fire department, there is no typical day for a fire investigator. Instead, there are some typical responsibilities and tasks that this type of professional will undertake regularly.

Fire investigators are not typically among the first responders to a fire. Instead, these specialized investigators are notified of a situation when other firefighters or law enforcement suspect the fire may have been intentionally set. Once on the scene, investigators will evaluate the physical evidence they find and begin to conduct interviews with witnesses, including the firefighters on the scene.

Using the information they collect, a fire investigator will reconstruct the fire, including how and where the first started, whether any accelerant was used, and how the first likely spread. With these details, they will decide whether a fire was intentionally set. The fire investigator will also point to possible suspects if arson is suspected. As with any law enforcement or government occupation, arson investigators are expected to keep thorough records of their process and their findings in the form of reports.

In addition to their work at the scene of a potential arson case, investigators are frequently called to testify in court or provide evidence for insurance companies. When there is no active investigation, a fire investigator may be the person in a local fire department or police force that goes into the community to teach about the dangers of fire.

Fire or Arson Investigator Professional Certification

Fire investigators who want to be competitive in their field and establish their expertise may seek professional certification. Certification programs are offered through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).

The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) is committed to the suppression of arson crimes through professional fire investigations and offers these certifications:

• Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI): to earn this credential, applicants must complete an application documenting their education, training, and experience and possess a comprehensive exam. This is a closed book exam based on the NFPA 1033 standards for professional qualifications for fire investigators. Applicants must earn a 70 percent passing grade, and certification lasts for five years.
• Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT): fire investigators seeking this specialization must demonstrate their evidence collection abilities at fire scenes. Before applying, applicants must have a minimum of 18 months of fire investigation experience in a related industry, collect 12 documented items of forensic evidence, and a minimum of 28 hours of tested training in courses such as ethics and the fire investigator, physical evidence at the fire science, and the scientific method for fire and explosion investigation. In addition, applicants must earn at least 70 percent on the 10 components of the physical exam or equivalent requirements.
• Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT): this certification proves a fire investigator’s fundamental knowledge. To qualify for this certification, applicants must have a minimum of 18 months of general experience in fire investigation, completed a minimum of 44 hours of tested training, documented evidence of experience, training, and education, and pass a comprehensive exam consisting of 50 questions with a score of 75 percent or higher.

The IAAI also offers specialization certifications in motor vehicle fire endorsement for those holding CFI or FIT credentials and instructor certification (IAAI-CI).

The National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) is an international organization, and its National Certification Board, the CFEI, offers the following credentials:

• Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI): The National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) offers this certification, the most widely held in the U.S. To obtain this certification, applicants must undergo a credentials review and pass an exam. Applicants must pass the exam with a score of 75 percent or better to earn the CFEI credential. In addition, NAFI offers a practice exam and study guide for $14.
• Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI): NAFI also offers specialized certification for vehicle fires. To be eligible for this credential, applicants must be NAFI members in good standing, at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and hold CFEI certification. In addition, candidates must complete a NAFI-sponsored 36-hour course on the subject and complete an exam with a 75 percent or better.
• Certified Fire Investigator (CFI): Mentioned earlier, the IAAI offers the CFI certification. The IAAI will review the applicant’s education, training, and experience to grant this certification. If the applicant has sufficient documented evidence in these fields, they will be eligible to sit for the CFI exam. This certification is accredited by the National Board of Fire Services Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) and the Forensic Specialities Accreditation Board (FSAB).
• Certified Fire Inspector I and II (CFI-1): The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers two levels of fire inspection certification. Level I certification requires a four-day course before an exam, while Level II requires further experience after Level I. Applicants must complete the courses in consecutive order. The CFI-II exam fee is $350.

It is important to note that certification, in many cases, is not always required to obtain a position as a fire or arson investigator. However, due to the importance of the role and the market’s competitiveness, earning some type of certification is helpful when seeking employment.