State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Firefighter Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Firefighters is $59,280 a year ($28.50/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.4% through 2034, with about 27,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
SOC 33-2011Protective ServiceLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $59,280
- Projected growth
- +3.4%
- Openings a year
- 27,100
- Typical education
- Certificate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Fire Engineer, Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Fighter, Fire Management Specialist, Fire Technician (Fire Tech), Firefighter.
How much do Firefighters make?
10th percentile$34,910
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$44,490
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$59,280
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$77,250
Upper quartile
90th percentile$101,040
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $59,280 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $28.50/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $63,630 |
| People employed | 345,990 |
Versus all US occupations
At $59,280, Firefighters earn 16% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $8,300 a year.
Versus protective service occupations
The median is typical for the Protective Service group, where the middle occupation pays $59,110.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,040 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,910, a gap of 2.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 41% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $100,960, and still leads at $93,550 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Firefighters the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 | $93,550 | 12,950 |
| Washington | $94,520 | $88,326 | 7,560 |
| California | $85,120 | $76,879 | 31,470 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 | $77,322 | 7,500 |
| Illinois | $78,380 | $78,413 | 18,400 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 | $74,925 | 2,970 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 | $69,035 | 1,480 |
| Colorado | $74,170 | $71,973 | 6,510 |
| Maryland | $73,810 | $70,323 | 5,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $75,288 | 5,020 |
Is Firefighter a growing career?
Firefighters3.4%
All US occupations3.1%
+3.4% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Firefighters to change 3.4% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 11,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 27,100 openings are projected each year, 7.9% of the 344,900 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Although improved building materials and building codes have resulted in a long-term decrease in fires and fire fatalities, firefighters will still be needed to respond to fires. Wildland firefighters will still be needed to combat active fires and manage the environment to reduce the impact of fires. Firefighters will also continue to respond to medical emergencies.
How to become a Firefighter
There is no national firefighter license in the United States. Entry is through an individual municipal or state fire department's own hiring process — written and physical tests, interviews, a medical exam and drug screening, then a fire academy — and the professional-qualification certifications departments recognize are issued by state or local certifying agencies accredited by the Pro Board or IFSAC against NFPA standards.
The credential path, step by step
- Meet the department's minimum requirements
Applicants typically must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver's license. The entry-level education typically required is a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Get emergency medical training
Some postsecondary instruction — assessing patients' conditions, dealing with trauma, clearing obstructed airways — is usually needed to obtain EMT certification, and many fire departments require it. Volunteer firefighting experience may also help in getting a career position.
- Pass the department's hiring process
Prospective firefighters must pass written and physical tests and complete interviews, then pass a medical exam and drug screening to be hired.
- Complete the fire academy and probationA few months
Recruits learn firefighting and fire-prevention techniques, local building codes and emergency medical procedures at an academy run by the fire department or the state, then serve a probationary period.
- Earn NFPA-based certification through an accredited agency
Certification against NFPA professional qualifications standards is issued by a state or local certifying agency accredited by the Pro Board or IFSAC. This is what makes a firefighter's qualifications recognizable and portable to another department.
- Program accreditation
Pro Board · National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications
Accredits public-sector agencies — generally the empowered certifying authority at state or provincial level — that test and certify firefighters against NFPA professional qualifications standards. The Pro Board accredits the certifying agency's testing and certification process, not training systems, programs or curriculum. Members certified by an accredited agency are entered in the Pro Board certification registry, which gives the credential portability between departments.
- Program accreditation
IFSAC · International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
Through its Certificate Assembly, provides a self-governing accreditation system for entities that certify individual competency by examination. Accreditation is available to state, provincial, territorial, tribal and national government entities whose examinations are based on NFPA professional qualifications standards and other standards adopted by the Certificate Assembly Board of Governors.
- How long the training takes
A few months at a fire academy after being hired
Entry-level firefighters receive a few months of training at fire academies run by the fire department or by the state, followed by a probationary period. Wildland firefighting apprenticeship programs can last up to 4 years.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
Firefighters must complete continuing education to obtain or maintain credentials such as EMT and paramedic certification. Departments also require routine physical fitness assessments, and firefighters may be subject to random drug tests after hiring.
Licensing and state variation
Not a state license
There is no national firefighter license, and in most places no state license either — you are hired directly by a fire department and trained at its academy. BLS states that requirements for licensure or certification vary by state or locality and directs candidates to their state licensing agency or local fire department. EMT requirements also vary by city and state. Depending on the state or locality, some firefighters are required to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a driver's license with a firefighter endorsement to operate a firetruck.
Who governs the credential
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — Writes the consensus professional-qualification standards that firefighter certification is measured against. NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, has been combined into the consolidated standard NFPA 1010, Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters, under NFPA's Emergency Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan; the last NFPA 1001 edition is the final stand-alone publication of that content.
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry) — Issues national EMT certification, which many fire departments require of recruits; National Registry certification is distinct from the EMS license or certification issued by a state.
Credential detail for firefighters is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Firefighters · checked August 23, 2026
- NFPA — NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications (consolidation notice) · checked August 23, 2026
- NFPA — NFPA 1010, Standard on Professional Qualifications for Firefighters · checked August 23, 2026
- The Pro Board (National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications) — About Us · checked August 23, 2026
- IFSAC — About the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress · checked August 23, 2026
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians — EMT Certification · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Prospective firefighters must pass written and physical tests, complete interviews, and train at a fire academy. Additionally, fire departments may require firefighters to have other credentials, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. Firefighters must complete continuing education to obtain or maintain these credentials.
Applicants for firefighter jobs typically must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. They must also pass a medical exam and drug screening to be hired. After being hired, firefighters may be subject to random drug tests and also need to complete routine physical fitness assessments.
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as firefighters.
- High School Diploma35.9%
- Post-Secondary Certificate24.6%
- Some College Courses19.5%
- Less than a High School Diploma9.4%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)7.2%
What does a Firefighter do?
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
Day-to-day tasks
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
- Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
- Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Firefighters typically work long periods; overtime is common, and their hours vary. For example, firefighters may work 24-hour shifts on duty, followed by 48 or 72 hours off duty.
When combating forest and wildland fires, firefighters may work for extended periods. For example, wildland firefighters may have to stay in a fire camp, a temporary site set up to provide shelter and support for days or weeks when a wildland fire breaks out.
Where the work happens
- Outdoors in all weather at least weekly
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
- Dealing with customers or the public is very important
Pressure and stakes
- Mistakes carry very serious consequences
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Where firefighters work
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 88% |
|---|---|
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 3% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 2% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Listening3.5/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Active Learning3.5/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Writing2.9/5
- Learning Strategies2.9/5
Transferable skills
- Coordination3.6/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3/5
- Operations Monitoring3.3/5
- Operation and Control3.3/5
- Time Management3.1/5
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Geographic information system
- Internet browser software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Firefighter?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary6.5
Investigative2.9
Artistic1.3
Socialprimary3.4
Enterprising3.0
Conventionalprimary3.5
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Firefighter: frequently asked questions
How much do Firefighters make?
Firefighters earn a median of $59,280 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 16% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.50/hr. The middle half earn between $44,490 and $77,250. The top 10% earn $101,040 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Firefighter?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Firefighters. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 35.9% hold high school diploma.
Is Firefighter a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.4% over 2024–2034, about the same as the 3.1% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 27,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Firefighter do?
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment. A core O*NET task: respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Firefighters the most?
The highest state medians for Firefighters are New York ($100,960), Washington ($94,520), California ($85,120) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Firefighter?
O*NET scores Firefighters highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Firefighter?
A few months at a fire academy after being hired. Entry-level firefighters receive a few months of training at fire academies run by the fire department or by the state, followed by a probationary period. Wildland firefighting apprenticeship programs can last up to 4 years.
Do you need a license to work as a Firefighter?
Not a state license. There is no national firefighter license, and in most places no state license either — you are hired directly by a fire department and trained at its academy. BLS states that requirements for licensure or certification vary by state or locality and directs candidates to their state licensing agency or local fire department. EMT requirements also vary by city and state. Depending on the state or locality, some firefighters are required to hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a driver's license with a firefighter endorsement to operate a firetruck.