The SFPE found that fire protection engineers' salaries have increased almost three percent since 2010, making the profession among the highest salaries in the engineering field.

Source: Society of Fire Protection Engineers

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According to a recent survey conducted by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), the median total compensation for fire protection engineers is $113,748. This is a 2.9 percent increase since the previous survey was conducted in 2010. 

The 2012 SFPE survey found the median income for an entry-level fire protection engineer with a bachelor’s degree and six years or less experience is $70,000 per year. For a mid-level fire protection engineer, the median income increases to $96,200, and as a senior-level fire protection engineer, salary rises to more than $128,000. 

Fire protection engineers are among the highest paid engineers in the nation, earning an average raise of three percent in 2011; leading to a competitive salary in fields such as consulting, insurance, government and fire service. Earning a professional engineer (PE) license also has salary benefits as PEs earn 21 percent more annually than non-professional engineers.

Median total compensation in the U.S. surged 12.5 percent from 2007 to 2010 and has continued to climb since then. "It’s certainly encouraging to see that number escalate, especially during the economic downturn,” said Chris Jelenewicz, SFPE’s engineering program manager. “With a career in fire protection engineering, you receive a stable salary and the satisfaction of keeping the world and its inhabitants safer from fire.”  

The survey polled 745 professionals practicing in the profession of fire protection engineering worldwide. Income data is based on earnings (salary plus bonuses) in 2011.