Also called: Accelerant Detection Canine Handler, Fire Investigation K-9 Handler
A fire investigator who works with a dog trained to sniff out tiny traces of gasoline and other fire starters in burned buildings.
After a suspicious fire, the handler walks the dog through the charred building. When the dog sits and points its nose at a spot, the handler collects that debris for lab testing, saving hours of digging. The dog lives at home with the handler and must be fed by hand during daily scent training.
Fire investigator or police pay plus canine care pay. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 6 years after high school. Experienced fire investigator or police officer, plus a 4-week canine program such as the State Farm Arson Dog Program.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Chemistry.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). BLS fire inspectors and investigators, 2024-34 (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Electronic sniffers improve, but dog teams and scene judgment stay hands-on and human.
Classes: Chemistry, Animal science or vet CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.