Security and fire alarm systems installers
SOC Code: 49-2098
Security and fire alarm systems installers carries a 26% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $59,300 and +10.4% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 85,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 26% AI exposure, Security and fire alarm systems installers sits 11 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 17% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Career outlook score
75/100
Security and fire alarm systems installers, weighted across 3 of 3 tracked dimensions
A weighted composite of median wage, projected growth, and AI-automation security (inverted exposure), each benchmarked against every other tracked occupation. It describes this occupation's standing across those three dimensions, not a guarantee of future outcomes.
- Median wage C- $59,300
Annual median wage, percentile rank vs all tracked occupations
- Projected growth A+ +10.4%
Projected employment change, 2024-2034, BLS Employment Projections
- AI exposure (inverted) A- 26% exposure
Lower O*NET task-automability scores lower risk; this dimension scores security, not exposure
Home health and personal care aides is #1 of 832 occupations by employment (4.3M, AI exposure rank #392 at 35%) vs. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks #1 by AI task exposure (95%, employment rank #17 at 1.6M).
Automation-risk inventory
Exclusive cut of 832 occupations by PlainWorkforce automation-risk band. Orthogonal to the continuous AI-exposure distribution chart below and to this occupation's single risk badge, this is the corpus band mix, with Security and fire alarm systems installers in the Medium band.
Credential × growth standing
Open entry with non-declining BLS pace
Security and fire alarm systems installers keeps an HS / some college bar (333 of 832) and sits in Fast growth (67 of 832). Lower formal gates with a non-shrinking employment line - skill and AI desks matter more than credentials here.
Where Security and fire alarm systems installers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Where Security and fire alarm systems installers sits by AI exposure
AI-exposure score distribution across U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis)
26% Among the lowest lower than 83% of 832 occupations
Occupations, banded by AI-exposure score
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor) · BLS 2024–2034
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Security and fire alarm systems installers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Security and fire alarm systems installers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Where This Score Comes From
Security and fire alarm systems installers's Medium automation-risk tier is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each documented task the occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The employment, wage, and education figures above come from a second, separate federal source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034, matched to the O*NET task data by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 49-2098) code, with the wage figure cross-validated against the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 survey. BLS figures are presented exactly as published, with no adjustment on our part; the SOC-code match is what lets Security and fire alarm systems installers be compared directly against every other tracked occupation on the same basis, not just roles that happen to share a job title.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Security and fire alarm systems installers. Public companies with meaningful exposure to this occupation, such as At&t Inc. and Peabody Energy Corp, inherit a share of the same automation risk through their industry classification. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
- 2. Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components.
- 3. Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms.
- 4. Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications.
- 5. Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping.
- 6. Examine systems to locate problems, such as loose connections or broken insulation.
- 7. Test backup batteries, keypad programming, sirens, or other security features to ensure proper functioning or to diagnose malfunctions.
- 8. Drill holes for wiring in wall studs, joists, ceilings, or floors.
- 9. Inspect installation sites and study work orders, building plans, and installation manuals to determine materials requirements and installation procedures.
- 10. Prepare documents, such as invoices or warranties.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Installation
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Monitoring
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- Building and Construction
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Security and fire alarm systems installers?
Security and fire alarm systems installers has an AI exposure score of 26%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Security and fire alarm systems installers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Security and fire alarm systems installers is projected to grow by 10.4% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 85,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Security and fire alarm systems installers?
Key skills for Security and fire alarm systems installers include Speaking, Critical Thinking, Installation, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Security and fire alarm systems installers earn?
The median annual wage for Security and fire alarm systems installers is $59,300, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Security and fire alarm systems installers?
The typical entry-level education for Security and fire alarm systems installers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Security and fire alarm systems installers?
Public companies with significant Security and fire alarm systems installers workforce shares include At&t Inc., Peabody Energy Corp, Shell plc, among others. These employers are mapped by industry classification (SIC/NAICS) to BLS occupation-industry employment distributions. See the full employer rankings for AI displacement risk grades.
Employers with High AI Exposure in This Occupation Group
Public companies whose industry occupation mix includes a significant share of Security and fire alarm systems installers roles.
| Company | AI Grade | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|
| At&t Inc. | B | 42.3% |
| Peabody Energy Corp | A | 33.5% |
| Shell plc | A | 33.5% |
| T-Mobile US, Inc. | B | 42.3% |
| Verizon Communications Inc | B | 42.3% |
| TotalEnergies SE | A | 33.5% |
| BHP Group Ltd | A | 33.5% |
| Southern Copper Corp/ | A | 33.5% |
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Nationwide occupations with similar workforce profiles
Two data-derived peer sets for Security and fire alarm systems installers: AI-exposure neighbors and BLS 2034 growth neighbors (distinct comparison neighborhoods, cross-occupation).
Similar AI exposure score
Nearest O*NET task-automability scores nationwide (26% here).
- Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary · AI exposure 26%
- Architectural and engineering managers · AI exposure 26%
- Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary · AI exposure 26%
- Athletic trainers · AI exposure 26%
Similar projected growth (2024–2034)
Nearest BLS employment change rates nationwide (+10.4% here).
- Tile and stone setters · growth +10.1%
- Medical equipment preparers · growth +10.0%
- Software quality assurance analysts and testers · growth +10.0%
- Training and development specialists · growth +10.8%
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on published BLS + O*NET metrics among occupations with ≥10,000 workers in 2024; corpus ranks above sort the full tracked set.
Related Occupations
Showing 6 of 35 occupations with a comparable automation-risk profile.
What to do with this
Use Security and fire alarm systems installers' numbers above to compare, not just read in isolation.
- Compare Security and fire alarm systems installers side by side against another occupation on wage, growth, and AI exposure. Workforce comparison tool
- Understand how the AI exposure score above is actually calculated before treating it as a verdict. Reading AI exposure scores
- See the full ranked list of occupations with the lowest automation exposure nationwide. Safest occupations from AI
AI exposure scores estimate task automatability from O*NET data; they are not a certainty of job loss, and BLS growth projections are estimates, not guarantees.
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).