Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) Salary: United States
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The median annual wage for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in the United States was $71,550 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers earned between $58,080 and $86,120.
Closest proxy Our title "Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET)" is reported by BLS as SOC 17-3013 Mechanical Drafters. Closest proxy: Mechanical Drafters. This published occupation covers only part of Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET); do not treat it as a quoted range for the complete role.
Annual wages
Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET), the United States, annual wages: 10% earned less than $48,360, half earned less than the median of $71,550, 90% earned less than $106,580 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,360 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $58,080 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $71,550 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $86,120 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $106,580 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $75,060 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages
Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET), the United States, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $23.25, half earned less than the median of $34.40, 90% earned less than $51.24 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.25 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $27.93 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $34.40 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $41.41 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $51.24 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $36.09 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Employment: BLS estimates 39,960 workers in this occupation nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 17-3013 Mechanical Drafters, National.
What BLS wages include. Base pay plus any guaranteed or production-based incentive pay. They leave out overtime, discretionary bonus, benefits, per diem and relocation.
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Target metros
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th percentile | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $73,230 | $58,210 to $81,290 | 340 | 0.47 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $72,170 | $62,320 to $81,910 | 230 | 0.61 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $63,140 | $50,630 to $78,600 | 230 | 0.63 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,220 | $52,000 to $72,760 | 200 | 1.03 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | $73,820 to $98,690 | 1,180 | 0.48 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $84,070 | $73,820 to $98,690 | 1,180 | 0.48 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $83,200 | $71,740 to $93,600 | 1,620 | 1.56 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $78,820 | $62,360 to $100,300 | 1,300 | 1.54 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,540 | $62,930 to $88,220 | 320 | 0.28 |
How does Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) pay differ by industry?
These are national industry estimates for SOC 17-3013, not local offers or separate estimates for the niche title. Industry names are exactly as BLS publishes them.
| Industry | NAICS | Median | Basis | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 22 | $90,340 | Annual | 240 |
| Utilities | 221000 | $90,340 | Annual | 240 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 221100 | $96,950 | Annual | 170 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | 221200 | $79,480 | Annual | 60 |
| Construction | 23 | $79,730 | Annual | 4,180 |
| Construction of Buildings | 236000 | $102,860 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Residential Building Construction | 236100 | $46,510 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 236200 | $102,860 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237000 | $61,300 | Annual | 220 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $61,300 | Annual | 200 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238000 | $79,270 | Annual | 3,300 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 238100 | $71,730 | Annual | 180 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $79,830 | Annual | 3,060 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238900 | $58,950 | Annual | 30 |
| Food Manufacturing | 311000 | $73,120 | Annual | 60 |
| Manufacturing | 31-33 | $66,130 | Annual | 21,160 |
| Textile Product Mills | 314000 | $54,320 | Annual | 50 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | 314900 | $57,480 | Annual | 40 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | 321000 | $59,340 | Annual | 440 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 321200 | $57,250 | Annual | 170 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 321900 | $60,450 | Annual | 270 |
| Paper Manufacturing | 322000 | $76,700 | Annual | 120 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 322200 | $76,440 | Annual | 120 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 323000 | $66,590 | Annual | 30 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 323100 | $66,590 | Annual | 30 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 325000 | $82,730 | Annual | 170 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 3250A1 | $84,490 | Annual | 90 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 325400 | $82,750 | Annual | 60 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 326000 | $60,230 | Annual | 520 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 326100 | $60,680 | Annual | 440 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | 326200 | $60,080 | Annual | 80 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327000 | $63,870 | Annual | 450 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331000 | $67,000 | Annual | 370 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 331100 | $65,000 | Annual | 90 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 331200 | $61,320 | Annual | 70 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 331300 | $63,750 | Annual | 90 |
| Foundries | 331500 | $73,670 | Annual | 110 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332000 | $63,880 | Annual | 6,540 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $64,770 | Annual | 1,310 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3320A2 | $63,680 | Annual | 4,490 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 332700 | $63,890 | Annual | 640 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 332800 | $62,210 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 333000 | $64,990 | Annual | 6,010 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $66,370 | Annual | 4,260 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 333300 | $62,170 | Annual | 530 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 333500 | $62,070 | Annual | 960 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 333600 | $70,310 | Annual | 260 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 334000 | $79,340 | Annual | 1,080 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 334200 | $78,520 | Annual | 110 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 334400 | $78,270 | Annual | 260 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 334500 | $79,850 | Annual | 670 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 335000 | $69,040 | Annual | 750 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 335100 | $80,170 | Annual | 90 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | 335200 | $64,810 | Annual | 60 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 335300 | $66,170 | Annual | 440 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 335900 | $69,490 | Annual | 160 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336000 | $76,360 | Annual | 2,960 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 336100 | $77,180 | Annual | 140 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 336200 | $61,580 | Annual | 290 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 336300 | $74,870 | Annual | 460 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 336400 | $108,350 | Annual | 1,200 |
| Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 336500 | $77,760 | Annual | 50 |
| Ship and Boat Building | 336600 | $68,830 | Annual | 800 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 337000 | $58,710 | Annual | 740 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 3370A1 | $58,680 | Annual | 740 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339000 | $64,320 | Annual | 870 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 339100 | $74,550 | Annual | 320 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339900 | $62,040 | Annual | 550 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | 488000 | $77,070 | Annual | 120 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | 488100 | $77,070 | Annual | 120 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493000 | $58,020 | Annual | 40 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493100 | $58,020 | Annual | 40 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 53 | $81,790 | Annual | 40 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 532000 | $80,150 | Annual | 40 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | 5320A1 | $80,150 | Annual | 40 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 | $79,380 | Annual | 9,130 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541000 | $79,380 | Annual | 9,130 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $77,120 | Annual | 7,040 |
| Specialized Design Services | 541400 | $54,440 | Annual | 230 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 541500 | $83,200 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 541600 | $76,250 | Annual | 250 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 541700 | $89,130 | Annual | 470 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541900 | $47,800 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Repair and Maintenance | 811000 | $65,000 | Annual | 150 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 811300 | $64,200 | Annual | 130 |
Industry estimates are national. Do not combine an industry median with a local percentile to invent an industry-specific local rate.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Fire Protection Foreman (47-1011)Low Voltage Foreman (47-1011)Fire Protection Superintendent (11-9021)Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?
This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Mechanical Drafters. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.
| Metro | Median | Employment | Location quotient | Trade median / all-occupations median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $102,710 | 60 | 1.28 | 1.48 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $98,310 | 390 | 0.64 | 1.32 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,450 | 240 | 0.83 | 1.16 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $94,470 | 1,020 | 1.91 | 1.30 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $94,140 | 50 | 0.5 | 1.96 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $90,160 | 380 | 0.93 | 1.45 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $87,860 | 30 | 0.4 | 1.67 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $87,220 | 120 | 2.74 | 1.79 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $86,420 | 60 | 3.04 | 1.85 |
| Midland, TX | $86,100 | 40 | 1.43 | 1.58 |
| Yakima, WA | $55,510 | 30 | 1.3 | 1.16 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $55,290 | 30 | 1.92 | 1.20 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $55,160 | 60 | 1.41 | 1.26 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $53,630 | 40 | 1.83 | 1.14 |
| Montgomery, AL | $50,420 | 30 | 0.74 | 1.12 |
| Wilmington, NC | $50,150 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 1.09 |
| Mobile, AL | $49,210 | 50 | 1.1 | 1.05 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $47,570 | 40 | 1.1 | 1.05 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $47,400 | 40 | 0.58 | 1.32 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $43,680 | 210 | 1.2 | 1.48 |
The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.
What do these published wages mean for an offer?
Skilled Trades Headhunters reads the May 2025 figures for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National as an offer reference, not a quote for a particular candidate. For Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National, the published median for SOC 17-3013, Mechanical Drafters, is $71,550 per year. The middle half of the Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National wage distribution runs from $58,080 to $86,120, a width of $28,040 per year; that spread shows how much published pay varies within the occupation and area, without assigning experience levels.
For the national Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) comparison, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX reports $83,200 per year while Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA reports $80,780 per year; these are the largest-employment metros with published medians for the occupation, rather than neighboring places to a national estimate. The United States Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) figure pools markets with different work scopes and schedules, so use the area table before setting a local offer.
The highest published medians among the selected national industry rows for Mechanical Drafters, read alongside Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National, are Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing at $108,350 per year (NAICS 336400); Construction of Buildings at $102,860 per year (NAICS 236000); Nonresidential Building Construction at $102,860 per year (NAICS 236200). Those Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National industry comparisons are national cross-sections, not local industry estimates; BLS does not give us a metro-by-industry wage cut here, and overlapping industry groups should not be added together.
The Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National median was $68,510 per year in May 2024, compared with $71,550 in May 2025, a published difference of $3,040. That Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National comparison is between separate BLS releases, not the raise paid to the same workers or a projection of next year's offer. Read the $68,510 and $71,550 Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National estimates with both dates visible, because the employers and workers represented by the survey can change.
Before offering $71,550 per year for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National, separate on-call duties, overtime, travel reimbursement, tool replacement and any truck allowance separately; prevailing wage and union requirements must be checked against the actual assignment. The Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National BLS comparison includes ordinary wages and qualifying incentive pay, but leaves overtime, discretionary bonuses, benefits and relocation outside this wage figure. A candidate's take-home pay and the employer's total cost for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National can therefore differ from the median without either number being an error.
The mapping for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National is proxy: Closest proxy: Mechanical Drafters; This published occupation covers only part of Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET); do not treat it as a quoted range for the complete role. For a Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National opening, establish the equipment, license requirements and responsibility before deciding which people the pay range should attract. A broader occupation can combine jobs that a Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National buyer would screen separately, which is why the badge and SOC remain beside the figures.
Questions about this occupation and area
What does the middle-half band tell a Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National buyer?
Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National has a published middle-half band of $58,080 to $86,120, a width of $28,040 per year, with median $71,550. An offer inside that Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National band is not automatically competitive for every scope; match the required work and the separate pay terms first.
Which areas should I compare before hiring Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National?
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA are the largest-employment comparison markets used for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National. Comparing those Mechanical Drafters tables with the $71,550 Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National median does not measure commuting costs or predict what a particular applicant will accept.
Are the industry figures local to Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National?
Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National uses national industry rows for SOC 17-3013, not local sector-specific wages. Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing leads the selected sortable rows at $108,350 per year, but that national industry figure is not a quoted offer for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National.
What changed between the releases for Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National?
Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National moved from $68,510 in May 2024 to $71,550 in May 2025. These Fire Sprinkler Designer (NICET) in National published medians do not describe an individual raise or establish a future wage trend.
What changed since May 2024
SOC 17-3013. Published annual median: $68,510 (May 2024) and $71,550 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.