Firefighters
SOC Code: 33-2011Also known as:
Airport Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, Crash Fire Firefighter, Fire Alarm Operator, Fire Apparatus Engineer
Median Annual Salary
$59,530
+3.4% growth (2024-2034)
27K
Openings/Year
345K
Current Jobs
What Firefighters 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.
💰 Salary
$59,530
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.4%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
27K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
344,900
Projected Employment (2034)
356,700
Related Careers
Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors
$109,660 •
+4.4% growth
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
$92,430 •
+3.4% growth
Fire inspectors and investigators
$78,060 •
+3.8% growth
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
$52,380 •
+14.6% growth
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
$33,720 •
+5.8% growth
Top Skills Required
Critical Thinking
Coordination
Service Orientation
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
- Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
- Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Firefighters
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a firefighters:
Fire Science/Fire-fighting
9,863 degrees awarded •
274 colleges offer this program
Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician
3,350 degrees awarded •
139 colleges offer this program
Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
224 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Wildland/Forest Firefighting and Investigation
88 degrees awarded •
13 colleges offer this program
Fire Protection, Other
70 degrees awarded •
6 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Firefighters
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become firefighters.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 65 | A |
| 2 | Knox County Career Center | Mount Vernon, OH | 75 | B |
| 3 | Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne, FL | 70 | B |
| 4 | Manatee Technical College | Bradenton, FL | 58 | B |
| 5 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | 420 | C+ |
| 6 | Shasta College | Redding, CA | 287 | C+ |
| 7 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | 255 | C+ |
| 8 | Miami Dade College | Miami, FL | 219 | C+ |
| 9 | Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood, CO | 202 | C+ |
| 10 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | 177 | C+ |
| 11 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | 171 | C+ |
| 12 | First Coast Technical College | Saint Augustine, FL | 134 | C+ |
| 13 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | 124 | C+ |
| 14 | Marion Technical College | Ocala, FL | 117 | C+ |
| 15 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | 117 | C+ |
| 16 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | 106 | C+ |
| 17 | Madison Area Technical College | Madison, WI | 101 | C+ |
| 18 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | 98 | C+ |
| 19 | Daytona State College | Daytona Beach, FL | 97 | C+ |
| 20 | Mt San Antonio College | Walnut, CA | 96 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do firefighters make?
The median annual salary for firefighters is $59,530.
What education do firefighters need?
Most firefighters positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Common degree programs include Fire Science/Fire-fighting, Fire Prevention and Safety Technology/Technician, Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services.
Is becoming firefighters a good career choice?
Firefighters is projected to see +3.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 27,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for firefighters?
Top colleges for aspiring firefighters include
University of Florida, Knox County Career Center, Eastern Florida State College, Manatee Technical College, Santa Ana College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to firefighters?
Firefighters may also be known as: Airport Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, Crash Fire Firefighter, Fire Alarm Operator, Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Chief's Aide, Fire Engine Pump Operator, Fire Engineer, Fire Equipment Operator, Fire Fighter, Fire Hydrant Operator, Fire Management Specialist, Fire Medic, Fire Suppression Technician, Fire Technician (Fire Tech), Fireboat Operator, Firefighter, Firefighter Diver, Firefighter Paramedic, Fireman.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.