Fire Investigators vs Criminal Investigators and Special Agents AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Fire Investigators

70 shared · 27 different

core competencies

medium risk

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents

Side-by-Side Comparison

Fire Investigators leads 4–1

Metric	Fire Investigators	Criminal Investigators and Special Agents
Risk Score	24.4%	26.7%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Medium Risk
Risk Percentile	18th	24th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 14	4 / 15
Median Salary	$78,060	$93,580
Employment	14K	111K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Handling and Moving Objects

Performing General Physical Activities

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Coaching and Developing Others

Developing and Building Teams

Mechanical

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Education and Training

Physics

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Fire Investigators

38%

total discount

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents

38%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Fire Investigators

1 of 14 at risk

85%Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.

49%Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.

49%Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.

47%Conduct internal investigation to determine negligence and violation of laws and regulations by fire department employees.

39%Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents

4 of 15 at risk

70%Obtain and use search and arrest warrants.

69%Prepare reports that detail investigation findings.

57%Examine records to locate links in chains of evidence or information.

53%Identify case issues and evidence needed, based on analysis of charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations.

49%Analyze evidence in laboratories or in the field.

Wage Comparison

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents earns +$15,520(+20%) vs Fire Investigators

Fire InvestigatorsCriminal Investigators and Special Agents

10th

$47,580$54,160

25th

$60,700$68,390

Median

$78,060$93,580

75th

$105,390$120,080

90th

$149,870$159,410

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Fire Investigators2028–2035

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Fire Investigators has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Criminal Investigators and Special Agents.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Fire Investigators

$59,052

from $78,060

Criminal Investigators and Special Agents

$68,557

from $93,580

After adjusting for AI risk, Criminal Investigators and Special Agents offers $9,504 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Fire

Unique to Criminal

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation

Regulatory Barriers

Social Intelligence

Creativity

Fire InvestigatorsCriminal Investigators and Special Agents

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