| Average Salary | Avg. Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| $57,800 | $26.10 |
- Home and commercial burglaries
- Motor vehicle theft
- Larceny
In addition, in 2013, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported almost half a million fires resulting in $9.5 billion in damage and 2,855 fatalities.
These cases brought the necessity of security systems and fire alarms as the properties’ first line of defense against potential fatalities.
And so, security and fire alarm system installers must know and adhere to the training, education, and certification set by their jurisdictions.
Below, you’ll learn everything that you should know about this profession.
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Duties of Security and Fire Alarm System Installers
Security and/or fire alarm system installers usually work with low-voltage systems (from 0 to 49 volts).
To install, repair, maintain, and troubleshoot these systems, you need to be able to…
- Read blueprints, schematics, and sketches of systems
- Use control systems software programs such as AMAG, Lenel, Genetec, and Software House
- Wire low-voltage circuits
- Install properly graded conduits and cables, such as cat 5/6, coaxial, twisted pair, and fiber
- Engage in preventative maintenance and regular system inspections
- Install control systems/centers
- Use low-voltage power sources, including backup DC sources
- Pull wire and use terminating devices
- Interface between low voltage systems and 110 volt systems
- Install switches and relays
The installation of fire alarm systems can be more complex than the basic systems.
And so, additional duties can include the following:
- Installation of sprinkler systems
- Installation of strobes and lighted exit signs powered by backup systems
- Familiarity with old fire alarm systems as well as the latest versions like the Simplex 4100 family
- Installation of smoke detector/heat detector systems
- Use of fire-retardant and fire-protective materials
- Installation of ventilation equipment
In the installation of CCTV systems, some important tasks include the installation of the following:
- Card access systems
- Video cameras and their connecting cable system to a control center
- Intrusion systems
- Microphones and audio cable
In today’s market, IP video is a popular feature, so the security system should be integrated with a computer.
Education and Training
Licensing regulations can vary by jurisdiction.
According to the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), 33 states have licensing requirements for security and fire alarm system installers.
Of those, 19 regulate security system installers, while 22 for fire alarm installers.
To know the exact licensing laws of your area, check with the local regulatory agency or union chapter.
However, generally, the licensing process for all states remains the same, starting with the apprenticeship.
The four to six-year apprenticeship will comprise of…
- Real-world on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed electrician
- At least 1,000 hours of classroom instruction on electrical theory and safety
Upon completion, you can take an exam and become a licensed journeyman.
As a journeyman, you can work more independently as a part of a team.
There are two other licensing requirements you may have to meet, depending on the regulations in your area.
- Low voltage license (in 19 states)
In some jurisdictions, you can obtain a low voltage electrician license.
Education and training for it may also involve the apprenticeship.
However, the process doesn’t take as long as the general electrician license.
Commonly, it takes from several months to a few years.
- Specialty certification/license (in 22 states)
Some jurisdictions provide specialized training and education programs that may last a few years.
You will learn exactly what you need to know about the installation of security systems and fire alarms.
These programs can take between a few weeks and a few months and offer hands-on training.
They can also include an exam.
Besides meeting government regulations, you should also meet industry and employer demands.
- Some types of electrician licenses (even if not required by jurisdictional regulations)
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Professional certification from an independent national certifying body
Professional Certifications
Many employers prefer security and fire alarm installers hold professional certification(s) on top of the local and state licenses.
You can acquire professional certifications from private organizations across the U.S.
All these organizations have their own certification policies that you will have to meet.
But usually, it involves completing a training course and passing the exam of the sponsoring organization.
What’s more, taking a course may help you meet the education and training requirements of your locality or state.
The most popular national certification programs and organizations providing them include:
- National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
- Fire Alarm Systems
- Video Security Systems
- Audio Systems
- Electronic Security Association (ESA)
- Certified Fire Alarm Technician
- Certified Alarm Technician
- Electronics Technicians Association (ETA)
- Electronic Security Networking Technician
- Certified Alarm Security Technician
- Elite CEU (Continuing Education University):
- Advanced Electronic Intrusion Technician
- Alarm Level 1
- Burglar/Fire Alarm Systems Agent (BASA/FASA)
- Video Surveillance Systems and Closed Circuit Television
Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average salary has risen by 6.5% from 2011 to 2015.
- 2011 – $42,110
- 2012 – $43,210
- 2013 – $43,870
- 2014 – $43,910
- 2015 – $44,860
And the top 10% received an average salary of $64,350 in 2015.
Here are the top-paying areas:
- Anchorage, Alaska – $64,150
- Peoria, Illinois – $61,100
- Boston, Massachusetts – $58,870
- San Jose, California – $58,860
- Colorado Springs, Colorado – $57,250
- Buffalo, New York – $57,070
- Lowell, Massachusetts – $56,650
- Phoenix, Arizona – $56,640.
- Tacoma, Washington – $56,540
- Baltimore, Maryland – $55,320
You can also see the comparison of salaries sourced to various job ads from July 2016.
- Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm Technician with Double R Security in Deer Park, New York – $52,000 to $62,400
- Security and Fire Alarm Installer with MultiLink Security in San Antonio – $37,400 to $49,920
- Fire Alarm Technician with Kinetix in Columbia, Maryland – $45,000 to $65,000
- Fire Alarm Technician with CyberCoders in San Jose – $60,000 to $75,000
- Senior Fire Alarm Technician with Rotator Staffing Services in Long Island City, New York – $54,080 to $62,400
- Fire Alarm Technician with Outsource in San Diego – $41,600 to $62,400
- Security Fire Alarm Technician with Fairview Protection in Allen, Texas – $30,000 to $62,500
Employment Opportunities
BLS reported that the employment rate for security and fire alarm systems installers increased by 20% since 2012.
In 2015, security and fire alarm systems electricians held 64,730 positions.
The major employers for these electricians are as follows:
- Building equipment contractors – 18,410 employees
- Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers – 680 employees
- Investigation and security services – 38,830 employees
- Household appliance and electronic goods merchant wholesalers – 1,000 employees
- Durable goods merchant wholesalers (misc.) – 1,960 employees
Major employers in the largest job markets nationwide are as follows:
- Chicago
- Tyco
- Extended Stay Hotels
- Protection One Alarm Monitoring Inc.
- MasTec Advanced Technologies
- Abt Electronics
- Dallas
- Facility Solutions Group
- Western States Fire Protection Company
- Marriott International
- Monitronics
- Archon Inc.
- Phoenix
- Sterling Bank Services
- Safeguard Security and Communications Inc.
- Kratos Defense
- Benson Systems
- Armstrong Group of Companies
- New York City
- TEKSystems
- Tyco
- Sentry Communication and Security
- Liberty Personnel Services
- DGA Security Systems
- San Jose
- Bay Alarm Company
- Protection One Alarm Monitoring Inc.
- Stanley Black and Decker.
- Delta Construction Partners Inc.
- Red Hawk Fire and Security
Regulations by State
NECA has a database providing the specific state licensing requirements for security and fire alarm installers.
If your state isn’t on the list, it means you will be regulated by the local-level jurisdictions or obtain a general electrician license.
- AL – general low voltage systems
- AK – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- AZ – fire alarm systems
- AR – security alarm systems
- CA – general low voltage systems, security alarm systems
- CT – general low voltage systems, especially related to security systems
- FL – general low voltage systems, fire alarm systems, security alarm systems
- GA – general low voltage systems
- IL – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- KY – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems.
- LA – CCTV security systems, security alarm systems, and fire alarm systems
- ME – general low voltage systems and fire alarm systems
- MA – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- MI – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- MN – general low voltage systems
- MO – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- MT – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- NE – fire alarm systems
- NV – fire alarm systems and general low voltage systems
- NJ – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- NM – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- NY – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- NC – general low voltage systems
- OK – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- OR – general low voltage systems
- RI – general low voltage systems
- SC – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- TN – general low voltage systems, including fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- TX – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- UT – security alarm systems
- VT – residential and commercial fire alarm systems
- WV – fire alarm systems and security alarm systems
- WY – general low voltage systems
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