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Hourly Fire Protection Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) , an employee-owned firm, is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic Fire Protection Engineer to join our dynamic and diverse team of engineers and ...

Fire Alarm Designer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$100K - $145K/yr

Your Opportunity The Fire Alarm Designer performs basic technical duties under the supervision of the Fire Alarm Discipline Lead. Understands and identifies project requirements and performs ...

Showing results 21-40

Hourly Fire Protection information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$27.3K

$64.6K

$103K

How much do hourly fire protection jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for hourly fire protection in Chicago, IL is $64,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $74,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an hourly fire protection professional?

Hourly fire protection professionals are workers who are paid on an hourly basis to install, inspect, maintain, and repair fire protection systems such as sprinklers, alarms, and extinguishers. Their responsibilities typically include ensuring compliance with fire safety codes, conducting routine system checks, and responding to emergency service calls. These roles are essential for preventing fires, protecting property, and ensuring the safety of building occupants. Hourly fire protection workers may be employed by specialized fire protection companies, building maintenance firms, or as independent contractors.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an hourly fire protection technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Hourly Fire Protection Technician, you need knowledge of fire safety codes, experience with fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and often a high school diploma or technical certification. Familiarity with tools such as fire panel testing equipment and compliance with NFPA standards or NICET certification are typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication with clients and team members set top performers apart. These skills and qualifications ensure proper installation, maintenance, and inspection of fire protection systems, which are critical for safety and regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges faced by hourly fire protection professionals, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Hourly Fire Protection professionals often encounter challenges such as responding quickly to emergency situations, working in hazardous environments, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of fire codes and safety regulations. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing training, strong attention to detail, and effective communication with team members and other departments. Building experience and staying current with industry certifications can also help professionals adapt to evolving safety standards and improve performance on the job.

What is the difference between Hourly Fire Protection vs Fire Sprinkler Installer?

AspectHourly Fire ProtectionFire Sprinkler Installer
CertificationsOSHA, Fire Protection CertificationsOSHA, Fire Sprinkler Certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, commercial buildingsInstallation sites, commercial and industrial facilities
Employer & Industry UsageFire protection companies, contractorsFire sprinkler companies, contractors

Both roles involve installing and maintaining fire protection systems, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference is that Hourly Fire Protection may encompass a broader range of fire safety systems, while Fire Sprinkler Installers specifically focus on sprinkler systems. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Protection jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Fire Protection jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Hourly Fire Protection jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Hourly Fire Protection job openings:

Fire Protection Engineer | 10+ years

Wiss, Janney, Elstner

Northbrook, IL โ€ข On-site

$101.55 - $169.25/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

## Fire Protection Engineer | 10+ yearsApplylocations: Northbrook, ILtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 2 Days Agojob requisition id: WJE0245**Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE)****, an employee-owned firm,** is seeking a curious, committed, and enthusiastic **Fire Protection Engineer** to join our dynamic and diverse team of engineers and designers. This position can be located in either our **Downtown Chicago office** or at WJE company headquarters in **Northbrook, Illinois**.Building on the industry experience you bring to WJE, our team will commit to your development into a well-rounded consultant; facilitating your continued deepening of technical expertise and project management skills, encouraging your participation in industry professional development opportunities, and supporting your desire to make a meaningful impact in your field.If you are enthusiastic about solving problems, curious about how things work, and not afraid to get your hands dirty, we want you on our team!**Responsibilities:*** Assume responsibility for the day-to-day success of multiple projects, including acting as the primary point of contact for clients, contractors, and project teams; training and mentoring teammates; and managing small-to-medium projects, as appropriate* Perform on-site investigations, condition assessments, and inspections, which may include surveying, documenting deficiencies, field testing, collecting data and samples, and preparing site visit reports* Develop fire growth, smoke movement, and egress zone models* Analyze field data, interpret model results, and perform research and review of construction documents, governing codes, and design guidelines to facilitate analysis, problem-solving, and development of alternative designs for a variety of fire protection systems, building code issues, and life safety objectives* Prepare conceptual, preliminary, and final client deliverables, including written reports, calculation packets, construction documents, and project specifications* Contribute to company-wide objectives through involvement in office and company development initiatives, in-house Technical Resource Groups (TRGs) and research projects, and relevant industry committees and professional organizations (e.g., SFPE)**Qualifications/Competencies:*** **Minimum 10** **years of relevant professional experience**, which may include designing and evaluating various fire protection systems; conducting building code analysis and code consulting; developing equivalencies for alternative methods and materials; writing fire protection building code programs; and/or building and analyzing complex fire, smoke, and egress models* **Bachelor's degree** in fire protection engineering or related field; **master's degree preferred*** **Licensed Professional Engineer (FPE)**; EIT in pursuit of PE will be considered on a case-by-case basis* Effective technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills* Familiarity with drafting, analysis, and modeling software (e.g., AutoCAD, REVIT, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), PyroSim, Smokeview, Pathfinder, and CFAST)* Proactive, team player mindset with willingness to take on various responsibilities, tackle new challenges, and learn new skills* Ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands, while maintaining productive interpersonal relationships and a high standard of excellence, integrity, and attention to detail**Culture, Compensation, and Benefits:**Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) is a global firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists. Clients worldwide seek our expertise to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems in the built world. Our applied experience from more than 175,000 projects combined with unparalleled laboratory and testing capabilities have made WJE a leader in providing innovative yet practical solutions to the clients we serve.Working at WJE is a team endeavor characterized by a culture of trust and personal responsibility. We encourage open communication, continuous learning, innovative thinking, ongoing mentoring, and free-flowing collaboration. We seek highly talented and hard-working individuals who want to be challenged, who want hands-on work, who want to set a higher standard, and who want to be mentored by the industryโ€™s most accomplished experts. People with outstanding **C**haracter, unwavering **C**ommitment to our core and culture, strong **E**xpertise, and genuine **E**nthusiasm for their work.Learn more about the Extraordinary People we hire at WJE at www.wje.com/careersWJE offers a robust, total compensation structure composed of base salary, incentive pay, and industry-leading benefits:* Base salary is determined through consideration of a candidateโ€™s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role while remaining mindful of our commitment to internal equity.* Employees receive variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above-market total compensation.A good faith estimate of the annual starting base salary (gross) is in the following range:$101,550.00 - $169,250.00WJEโ€™s industry-leading, total rewards package enables our employees to grow and thrive with comprehensive health and financial benefits, including:* Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high-deductible PPO options* Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately* Time off to care for yourself and others* Investments in employeesโ€™ educational assistance and professional developmentLearn more about WJEโ€™s total rewards package here.**WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.****WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.** #J-18808-Ljbffr