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Boston Career Explorer

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers

Install, program, maintain, and repair security and fire alarm wiring and equipment. Ensure that work is in accordance with relevant codes.

Also called: Alarm Technician, Fire Alarm Technician (Fire Alarm Tech), Home Security Alarm Installer, Install Technician, Installation Technician, Installer

Compare with my current job (Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians)
Median pay in Greater Boston
$78,560
$37.77/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
1,330
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+4.9%
260 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$48,950$60,940$78,560$99,330$103,830

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Install, maintain, or repair security systems, alarm devices, or related equipment, following blueprints of electrical layouts and building plans.
  • Mount and fasten control panels, door and window contacts, sensors, or video cameras, and attach electrical and telephone wiring to connect components.
  • Demonstrate systems for customers and explain details, such as the causes and consequences of false alarms.
  • Test and repair circuits and sensors, following wiring and system specifications.
  • Feed cables through access holes, roof spaces, or cavity walls to reach fixture outlets, positioning and terminating cables, wires, or strapping.
  • Examine systems to locate problems, such as loose connections or broken insulation.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure30 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 27
  • Language-model AIOE 28
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 36

Observed AI use today: Some (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is lower, and observed AI use is some. AI tools may help with reading plans, writing up system details, or explaining false alarms to customers. Running cables through walls, mounting panels and sensors, and testing circuits still need a person on site.

Likely to change

  • Reviewing plans and system specifications
  • Preparing customer explanations and demonstrations

Still relies on people

  • Running cable through walls and ceilings
  • Mounting and testing sensors and panels

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Electricians

    You already follow electrical layouts and building codes. Electricians do similar work through an apprenticeship, with a $79,910 Boston median and 11.6% projected growth.

    Pay difference
    +$1,350 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +11.6%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers

    Your cable work and circuit testing carry over to testing and fixing lines. Median pay in Boston is $103,090.

    Pay difference
    +$24,530 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +0.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

    You already test and repair devices and keep records. This job offers a $95,520 Boston median and needs a high school diploma.

    Pay difference
    +$16,960 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.8%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

1 program near Boston

Related occupations

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