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Fire Investigator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pasco County

Fire Marshal

New Port Richey, FL · On-site

$114K - $159K/yr

Supervises and performs incendiary fire investigations. Assigns personnel to special duties as deemed necessary. Reviews and approves new commercial construction plans to determine if buildings are ...

City of Red Oak, TX

Fire Inspector/Investigator

Red Oak, TX · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Fire Opening Date: 06/22/2026 FLSA: Non-Exempt Summary Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the inspector/investigator will assist the Fire Marshal in the daily operations of the Community Risk ...

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Fire Investigator information

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$35.5K

$69.3K

$110.5K

How much do fire investigator jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire investigator in the United States is $69,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Fire Investigators during the course of an investigation?

Fire Investigators often encounter challenges such as sifting through hazardous or unstable environments, distinguishing between accidental and intentional causes, and gathering evidence that may have been damaged or destroyed by fire. These professionals must also work collaboratively with law enforcement, insurance representatives, and sometimes testify in court, which requires strong communication and documentation skills. Staying current with fire science techniques and investigative technology is essential to overcome these challenges and ensure accurate, thorough investigations.

What is the difference between Fire Investigator vs Fire Marshal?

AspectFire InvestigatorFire Marshal
CertificationsFire Investigation Certification, Fire Inspector CertificationFire Investigation Certification, Fire Inspector Certification, sometimes Fire Prevention Certifications
Work EnvironmentScene investigation sites, laboratories, forensic settingsFire prevention, code enforcement, public education, investigation
Employer & IndustryFire departments, law enforcement, forensic labsMunicipal fire departments, government agencies, fire prevention offices

Fire Investigators focus on determining the cause of fires, often working at fire scenes and forensic labs. Fire Marshals have broader roles including fire prevention, code enforcement, and public safety education, often overseeing fire investigations. Both roles require similar certifications, but their primary responsibilities and work environments differ.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fire Investigator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Investigator, you need a solid understanding of fire science, investigative techniques, and a background in law enforcement or fire service, often supported by certifications like Certified Fire Investigator (CFI). Familiarity with evidence collection tools, fire modeling software, and report-writing systems is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding investigators apart. These skills ensure accurate determinations of fire causes, support legal proceedings, and enhance public safety.

How do you become a fire investigator?

To become a fire investigator, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by relevant training in fire science, criminal justice, or a related field. Many fire investigators gain experience as firefighters or in law enforcement, and certification from organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) can enhance job prospects.

What does a Fire Investigator do?

A Fire Investigator is responsible for determining the origin and cause of fires. They examine fire scenes, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze burn patterns to figure out how and why a fire started. Fire Investigators may work for fire departments, law enforcement agencies, or insurance companies. Their findings can be used in criminal investigations, legal proceedings, and to improve fire prevention strategies.

What Is a Fire Investigator?

A fire investigator investigates the cause of fires, particularly when arson is suspected. Fire investigators examine the crime scene, process latent print samples, gather evidence using collection tools, interview witnesses, process the evidence collections, and report their findings to law enforcement agencies. A fire investigator examines the crime scene and determines how the fire started. Similar roles include arson investigator, firefighter, and forensic science technician.

Can you be a fire investigator without being a firefighter?

Yes, a fire investigator can work without being a firefighter, as the role often requires specialized training in fire science, evidence collection, and investigation techniques rather than firefighting experience. Many fire investigators are trained law enforcement officers, fire science graduates, or have certifications such as the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) credential. While some fire investigators have firefighting backgrounds, it is not a strict requirement for the position.

Is it hard to become a fire investigator?

Becoming a fire investigator typically requires a combination of education, such as a high school diploma or higher, and experience in fire service or law enforcement. Many fire investigators also pursue certifications from professional organizations, which can involve training and passing exams, making the process somewhat challenging but achievable with dedication.
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Fire Investigator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Investigator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 49% Full Time, 45% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,327 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

Fire Investigator - Part Time

Corpartners

Minneapolis, MN

Part-time

Posted 9 hours ago

Key responsibilities

  • Investigates and analyzes the origin and cause of fire and explosion events within residential, commercial, and industrial sites per NFPA 921 and 1033.

  • Collects evidence, documents scenes, photographs incident sites, preserves equipment and components, and stores evidence retrieved from the scene for further evaluation or review.

  • Interviews witnesses, including owners, occupants, tenants, fire service personnel, and other local officials, and canvasses neighborhoods to identify other potential witnesses to record statements.

Job description

Inspiring People - Impactful Experiences

If there was one common theme to describe what our team members get from a career with Envista Forensics, it's: An Experience. Envista prides itself on being One Company/One Team.

Forensic Consulting relies on scientific principles to investigate all types of failures impacting service, people, and business production- from minor to catastrophic. It's our job to analyze and determine why it happened.

We're always looking for great professionals, in all disciplines and locations - contact us for more information about other opportunities.

We're looking for someone who:

  • Is Passionate. You have a genuine passion to problem solve.
  • Is motivated and cultivates innovation. You're driven to be the very best. You challenge yourself to grow and learn every day and are encouraged by other team members.
  • Is collaborative. You're excited to work with others throughout a global organization to help foster a superior workplace and culture. You are constantly thinking of new ways to make Envista successful.
  • Wants to make an impact to drive results. You're looking to do amazing work. You're all about helping our clients both internally and externally.
  • Operates with integrity and instills trust. You always conduct yourself with honesty and operate ethically in everything you do.


Job Description

We have an exciting and highly rewarding part-time Fire & Explosion Investigator opportunity in the Greater Minneapolis area. If you have your CFI, 5 years of practical experience in Fire & Explosion Investigation, enjoy a challenge and have a curious mind this is the opportunity for you.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Investigates & analyzes the origin and cause of fire and explosion events within residential, commercial, and industrial sites per NFPA 921 and 1033.

  • Collects Evidence and Document scenes per NFPA 921 & 1033.

  • Photographs incident site (and records when specifically required/requested) and preserves equipment/components, and stores evidence retrieved from the scene for further evaluation/review pending client's written disposition instructions.

  • Interviews witnesses, to include owner, occupants, tenants, etc. and canvasses neighborhood to identify other potential witnesses to record statements; interviews responding and investigating fire service personnel and other local officials, as to their actions associated with the incident.

  • Identifies, documents, and analyzes compliance with the applicable codes of any installed fire suppression and detection system within a given building or property.

  • Researches failure modes and code requirements as needed and prepares recommendations to present to stakeholders.

  • Prepares accurate, clear, thorough, and concise reports and letters outlining the cause and origin of the damages to clients. Follows established policies, procedures, and processes in preparing information, exercising sound judgment in applying these to potentially unusual or complicated situations, and submits reports and documents in a timely manner and in accordance with client's standards and expectations.

  • Proactively works with multi-disciplinary teams on large and complex assignments while contributing, as an effective member of the team, assisting co-workers as needed, and learning from colleagues and supervisors.

  • Maintains established relationships with current clients and consultants.

Required Skills/Abilities/Experience:

  • 5+ years of experience as a fire investigator - a combination of Public and Private sector experience is ideal (a combination of education and experience will be considered).

  • IAAI CFI required or the ability to obtain within 6 months of hire

  • NAFI-CFEI certification

  • Must be bondable and eligible for licensing as a private investigator where so required, some jurisdictions require written testing for licensing.

  • Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

  • Ability to work in catastrophic environments, such as the aftermath of natural disasters, weather events, etc., for an extended period.

  • Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in a work capacity.

Preferred Skills/Abilities/Experience:

  • Experience with commercial and industrial facilities is desired.

  • Experience working with law firms and insurance companies is a plus.

Education:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field is preferred


One Company/One Team is not just one of our 5 Guiding Principles, it's we how separate ourselves from our competitors. We learn together, we win together and through our team members voices, we bring certainty to an uncertain world.

At Envista Forensics, we recognize that our potential team members come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a role. We strive to reflect the communities and clients we serve to drive innovation, excellence, and meaningful work-We want you to bring your authentic self to Envista.If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.

Envista Forensics embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives

EnvistaForensics believes that Veterans arrive with not only translatable skills and technicalexpertisebutin addition comewith the intangibles; leadership and values that we believealign with our 5 Guiding Principles. Simply put, these qualitiesenable oursuccess,soweencourageallGuardsmen, Reservists, and Veteransto considerEnvistaas their next career destination.

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