Fire Investigators vs Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs AI Risk

Job 1

Job 2

Job 1

Job 2

low risk

Fire Investigators

61 shared · 38 different

core competencies

low risk

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

Side-by-Side Comparison

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs leads 3–2

Metric	Fire Investigators	Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
Risk Score	24.4%	21.8%
Risk Tier	Low Risk	Low Risk
Risk Percentile	18th	11th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)	1 / 14	5 / 15
Median Salary	$78,060	$76,290
Employment	14K	667K

Skill Comparison

Sorted by largest difference

Handling and Moving Objects

Performing General Physical Activities

Developing and Building Teams

Education and Training

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Getting Information

Customer and Personal Service

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Fire Investigators

38%

total discount

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

37%

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.

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

5 of 15 at risk

86%Record daily activities and submit logs and other related reports and paperwork to appropriate authorities.

81%Verify that the proper legal charges have been made against law offenders.

77%Notify patrol units to take violators into custody or to provide needed assistance or medical aid.

77%Question individuals entering secured areas to determine their business, directing and rerouting individuals as necessary.

52%Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.

Wage Comparison

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs earns -$1,770(-2%) vs Fire Investigators

Fire InvestigatorsSheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

10th

$47,580$47,640

25th

$60,700$58,980

Median

$78,060$76,290

75th

$105,390$97,190

90th

$149,870$115,280

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Fire Investigators2028–2035

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs2028–2035

20242030203520402045

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Fire Investigators.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

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

Fire Investigators

$59,052

from $78,060

Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

$59,628

from $76,290

After adjusting for AI risk, Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs offers $576 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

Unique to Fire

Unique to Sheriffs

Combined Protection Strategy

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

Fine Manipulation

Social Intelligence

Creativity

Regulatory Barriers

Fire InvestigatorsSheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs

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