Firefighters
SOC code 33-2011 · O*NET-SOC 33-2011.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Legal and protective services
Firefighting typically requires academy training plus EMT certification, and hiring is competitive and exam-based. The schedule — long shifts followed by multiple days off — is one of the role's distinctive draws, and paramedic certification raises pay.
Firefighters pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$59,280
a year
Hourly
$28.50
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$63,630
$30.59 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,490 – $77,250
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,910 – $101,040
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
345,990
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,910
- $16.79/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,490
- $21.39/hr
- Median percentile
- $59,280
- $28.50/hr
- 75th percentile
- $77,250
- $37.14/hr
- 90th percentile
- $101,040
- $48.58/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+3%
Growing about as fast as average
344,900
jobs in 2024
356,700
projected for 2034
About 11,800 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Search to locate fire survivors.
- Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
How to become a firefighter
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a firefighter earn?
The national median is $59,280 a year. The full range runs from $34,910 at the 10th percentile to $101,040 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a firefighter without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is firefighter in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Active Learning3.6/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security4.1/5
- Transportation3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.4/5
- Mechanical3.3/5
- Communications and Media3.2/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Telecommunications3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving.